Romania Daily News Brief - August 27, 2025

BUCHAREST, Aug. 27, 2025 - Romania marked several milestones and policy initiatives today across the energy, environmental, and regulatory sectors.

Romania’s second renewable energy auction under the Contracts for Difference scheme awarded 2,751 MW of solar and wind capacity, bringing the combined total from the first and second auctions to 4.2 GW-exceeding the national target of 3.5 GW set in the Recovery and Resilience Plan. Solar PV bids were highly competitive, reaching prices as low as €35/MWh, underscoring Romania’s growing attractiveness for clean energy investors.

The Ministry of Energy urged the European Commission and neighbouring states to accelerate the expansion of electricity interconnection capacity, arguing that lower cross-border power flows will reduce industrial and household electricity prices and bolster competitiveness amid regional market tensions.

Germany reaffirmed its support for Romania’s bid to join the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development after the OECD’s Committee for Science and Technology Policy issued a Formal Opinion endorsing Romania’s alignment with science and technology standards. Ambassador Angela Ganninger emphasized that OECD membership will enhance transparency and attract further foreign direct investment.

Environmental authorities reported a record-breaking month for the Deposit-Return System, with consumers returning over 580 million beverage containers in July-79 percent of all packaging placed on the market that month-bringing the January-July total to 3 billion containers delivered for recycling.

In regulatory news, the National Gambling Office blacklisted 30 unlicensed online casino and sports betting sites, ordering ISPs to block access within 15 days. The move signals heightened enforcement and aims to protect licensed operators and safeguard consumer interests.