The investments are designed to boost energy independence, reduce operating costs, and transition public infrastructure into energy producers. With today’s announcement, the cumulative portfolio under Key Program 1 now includes 1,046 contracts, representing over 403 MW of installed capacity and over 2.83 billion lei (~$610 million) in total investment.
“What we are doing today is a paradigm shift. Public administration becomes a strategic partner of the energy transition,” said Burduja. “We help those closest to the people—schools, hospitals, town halls—produce clean energy locally, without dependencies and without waste.”
Projects funded through this round span multiple regions and facility types, including educational institutions, municipal buildings, and healthcare centers. These systems are designed for self-consumption, with many installations expected to cover up to 70% of a facility’s electricity needs.
This shift not only stabilizes budgets and lowers utility expenses, but also strengthens long-term community resilience. In rural and underserved areas, where grid stability may be less reliable, local solar production improves operational security for essential services.
“Romania is already in a new energy era,” Burduja added. “Every commune, every hospital, every school that lowers its bill is building a Romania that supplies itself with its own energy—safe, cheap, and clean.”
Romania’s Modernization Fund, supported by revenues from the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), is among the most effectively utilized energy transition tools in the region. By prioritizing rapid project implementation and minimal bureaucracy, the country has positioned itself as a leader in efficient fund absorption.
Additional investment rounds this year have included:
With today’s signing, over $520 million has been disbursed from the Modernization Fund to local renewable projects since the launch of Key Program 1.
As Romania scales up its domestic renewables, the strategic benefits go beyond environmental performance. The government’s positioning of local institutions as “active energy agents” reflects a broader move toward energy sovereignty—reducing dependence on imports, stabilizing community economics, and reinforcing national resilience.
This decentralized approach to energy aligns with EU-wide climate priorities and provides a replicable blueprint for emerging economies managing both aging infrastructure and rising energy costs.
