A significant milestone has been achieved in Romania’s renewable energy sector with the issuance of a commercial operating license for the 135 MW Studina solar power plant, located in the Oltenia region. This regulatory approval from the national energy regulator marks the completion of all necessary permitting processes for the project, which is primarily backed by China Huadian, a major state-owned energy group from China.
The commercial license allows the Studina solar plant to register on electricity trading platforms and commence electricity sales in the market. This development is crucial as Romania continues to expand its renewable energy portfolio and enhance its energy independence.
Owned by Grup Blauer Bucuresti, the Studina project reflects a diverse shareholder structure that includes international renewable energy investors. China Huadian Hong Kong Company Limited holds a 45% stake in Grup Blauer Bucuresti, while Studina Renewables and CWP Europe each control 25.5%. This investment aligns with China Huadian’s strategy to broaden its international footprint through overseas projects.
China Huadian is recognized as one of China’s top five electricity producers, boasting a generation capacity of around 178 GW and an annual output of approximately 640 TWh. The company’s Hong Kong subsidiary plays a pivotal role in facilitating its investments outside mainland China, further emphasizing its commitment to global expansion.
The Studina project was acquired three years ago by CWP Europe from local investors, who had previously established a network connection agreement with Romania’s transmission system operator, Transelectrica. The solar plant is anticipated to begin operations by 2025, following the strategic entry of China Huadian into its shareholder structure.
This licensing approval coincides with Romania’s rapid growth in solar capacity, which has surpassed 7 GW as of 2025, encompassing both utility-scale installations and prosumers. Industry analysts predict that an additional 2.5 GW of solar capacity could be integrated into the grid this year, solidifying Romania’s status as one of the fastest-growing solar markets in Southeast Europe.
