ROMANIA’S OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY RESOURCES Natural potential, regulatory framework, and development prospects Bucharest, 2020 Romania’s Offshore Wind Energy Resources: Natural potential, regulatory framework, and development prospects STUDY BY: Energy Policy Group (EPG) Str. Fibrei 18-24, Sector 2, București www.enpg.ro,
[email protected] IN COOPERATION WITH: Dunărea de Jos University of Galați (Florin Onea, Liliana Rusu and Eugen Rusu). FUNDING: This study is part of a grant awarded by the European Climate Foundation and implemented by the Energy Policy Group. AUTHORS: Mihai Bălan (Senior Research Associate, EPG), Radu Dudău (Director, EPG), Mihnea Cătuți (Senior Analyst, EPG) and Andrei Covatariu (Senior Research Associate, EPG). DISCLAIMER: The project also benefited from advice from the Romanian Wind Energy Association (RWEA), Transelectrica, Hidroelectrica and ANRE. The viewpoints presented in this report do not reflect the official positions of these organisations. PLEASE CITE AS: Energy Policy Group (2020), Romania’s Offshore Wind Energy Resources: Natural potential, regulatory framework, and development prospects, November 2020. 1 Executive summary Offshore wind power is regarded as a likely pillar in reaching net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emission by 2050, as envisioned by the European Green Deal. Europe is home to some of the world’s most significant offshore wind resources. Better tapping into this potential will be addressed in the Commission’s upcoming 2020 Offshore Wind Strategy, expected to bolster a rapid expansion of offshore wind on the continent, from the current 20 GW installed capacity to 450 GW by 2050. Offshore wind generation can offer numerous advantages: high full-load hours, high operating hours, rather low variability and, consequently, greater predictability and lower forecast errors, as well as lower balancing power needs compared to onshore wind and solar PV.