Romania is falling behind the renewables race. Can the EU's biggest solar farm save it?
Published on 23/08/2026 - 7:00 GMT+2 The EU’s largest solar farm has taken one step closer to becoming a reality, and could soon deliver enough power for almost one million...
Published on 23/08/2026 - 7:00 GMT+2
The EU’s largest solar farm has taken one step closer to becoming a reality, and could soon deliver enough power for almost one million people.
According to local news, the Romanian Energy Regulatory Authority (ANRE) has issued an establishment authorisation. This happens when developers can prove they have the necessary financing needed for large infrastructure projects.
The Dama Solar farm, spearheaded by Rezolv Energy, will be located in north-west Arad County, Romania, near the Hungarian border.
With aims to enter commercial operation by 2030, the project will dethrone the Witznitz Solar Park near Leipzig, Germany, which is currently the EU’s largest operational solar farm.
It could also help Romania transition away from fossil fuels, as it begins to lag behind.
Romania’s electricity: Where does it come from?
According to data compiled by energy think-tank Ember, Romania only generated 9.78 per cent of its electricity from solar last year – compared to the EU average of 13.1 per cent.
It also lagged behind the EU average for wind power (12 per cent compared to 17 per cent), as well as bioenergy and nuclear.
While the majority of Romania’s electricity generation in 2025 came from hydropower (24.3 per cent), it heavily relied on gas (16.9 per cent) and coal (15.2 per cent), which is often referred to as the most polluting source of energy.
Both of these are above the EU average (16.8 per cent and 9.18 per cent).
How much power will Europe’s biggest solar farm produce?
According to Rezolv Energy, the solar farm will have an installed capacity of 1.24 GW when operational. It could in theory produce a maximum of 10.86 TWh of electricity per year (more than double Romania’s current solar production).
However, solar farms do not run at maximum capacity all year due to relying on specific weather conditions (clear skies and sunlight). However, even if the farm runs at an average of 15 per cent capacity in one year, which is a conservative estimate given its location, it could still produce 1.63 TWh of electricity.
The developers predict that the annual estimated energy production of the plant will be able to cover the consumption of more than 280,000 households, or close to one million people. It will also create more than 500 new jobs over the next three years.
Resolv Energy says the solar farm will make a “remarkable contribution” to Romania’s 2030 renewable energy targets, and that it is evaluating the future addition of “substantial energy storage”. This will help minimise wasting excess solar energy that is produced when electricity consumption is low.
“Much of the low-quality agricultural land will be returned to pasture, with sheep managing the vegetation through grazing,” the organisation adds.
“The project will also incorporate an 82-hectare nature reserve – one of the largest private-led nature restoration initiatives associated with a solar project in Southeastern Europe.”
