Romania has taken a step toward a broader regulated renewable hydrogen market after the Senate approved revised legislation covering hydrogen production, monitoring and use. The approved bill is now set to move to the Chamber of Deputies for the final parliamentary vote.
Transport fuel obligation in the revised hydrogen bill
A key provision in the legislation relates to transport fuel. From 2030, suppliers would be required to ensure that renewable fuels of non-biological origin, including renewable hydrogen, account for at least 1% of the fuel they sell.
The proposal is also tied to implementation of Romania’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan. Together with the national hydrogen strategy, the legislative framework is linked to a milestone associated with more than €1 billion in European funding.
Parliamentary revisions and committee positions
The bill was revised during the parliamentary process after earlier versions received negative opinions from both the Economic and Energy committees. Amendments, including changes affecting fuel-supplier obligations, later secured unanimous committee support before Senate approval.
The legislation amends Law 237/2023 and Government Emergency Ordinance 163/2022. It is intended to align Romanian rules more closely with EU requirements and domestic energy objectives.
Industrial projects and downstream demand alignment
Romania’s regulatory push is taking place as initial industrial hydrogen projects begin to emerge. OMV Petrom plans two renewable-hydrogen installations at the Petrobrazi refinery, with electrolyser capacities of 20 MW and 35 MW.
Combined capacity would reach 55 MW. The legislation is presented alongside the need for predictable offtake for renewable hydrogen facilities, while obligations on fuel suppliers are expected to create demand that could otherwise develop more slowly.
The framework is intended to develop both sides of the market by linking industrial supply from projects such as Petrobrazi with a formal transport-sector demand signal through the proposed 1% requirement from 2030. Final approval remains outstanding following Senate passage.
