Romania is set to significantly expand its wind energy capacity over the coming years, improving on its position as one of the European countries with the lowest amount of wind energy capacity installed.

Currently the country has 14 MW of installed capacity, but the European Wind Energy Association, in its recently published Pure Power report, predicts this will rise to 3,500 MW, all of that onshore wind power. The Dobrogea region which borders the Black Sea, the Moldova Hills and other hilly or mountainous plateaux have significant wind resources which could be used to power future carbon-free electricity generation.

“There is huge potential for wind power in Romania, and if existing infrastructure barriers are removed, the Romanian wind power market will grow, providing jobs and helping drive the economy, especially in poor rural areas,” Cristian Tantareanu from the centre for the promotion of clean and efficient energy in Romania (ENERO), said.

At a wind energy conference organised by EWEA in Bucharest last year, Arthouros Zervos, President of EWEA, urged the Romanian government to: “promptly address issues such as administrative procedures and grid access for renewables projects”.

A national law which will contain support measures for wind energy is still passing through the political process, but it should be finalised in the first half of 2010.

Despite the low level of wind penetration today, Romania is well on course to meet its renewable energy target – a 24% share of renewables in the overall energy mix by 2020. Wind power is the second most important renewable in the country, following large hydro.

“Wind energy will be key for us to reach our 2020 renewables target,” Alexandru Sandulescu from the Romanian Ministry of Economy said.

To read the full Pure Power report on wind energy scenarios, click here.