Romania Gets €259 Million EU Aid for Solar Panels & Battery Production

Europe is speeding for timely transition to clean energy to avoid climatic changes. In a key development, the European Commission has approved a EUR 259 million scheme to support investments in the production, assembly and recycling of batteries, of photovoltaic cells and of panels in Romania.

The new funding is approved under EU State aid rules and will be made available in part through the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). The scheme aims at supporting regional development of Romania.

The scheme for Romania of EUR 259 million has come after European Commission’s positive assessment of the Romanian Recovery and Resilience Plan and its adoption by the Council.

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The measure aims to contribute to regional development by targeting sectors with growing demand, which will support the creation of new jobs that require a skilled workforce, as well as a more sustainable and competitive economy. It also aims at green transition of Romania and the EU.

Under the scheme Romania will run until 31 December 2024. The aid will come in the form of direct grants to companies active in the production, assembly and recycling of batteries, photovoltaic cells and panels. These firms are located in areas of Romania eligible for regional aid.

The Commission said that these areas are determined in the Romanian regional aid map for the period from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2027.

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The Commission says that the aid is proportionate as it is limited to the minimum necessary and will not exceed the maximum amounts of set out in Romanian’s regional aid map.  Also, the negative effects of the measure in terms of distortion of competition and impact on trade between Member States are limited.

Romania currently has an RE capacity of 5,000 MW and the country looks install 10,000 MW in renewable sources that will be financed through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) and the Modernization Fund.