Romania has opened public consultation on a Black Sea offshore wind plan identifying six development zones with a combined estimated capacity of 11.5 GW.
The areas cover approximately 4,000 square kilometres of maritime territory and are divided into three development stages. The first stage contains three fixed-bottom zones with total potential of 3.1 GW, broadly aligned with Romania’s objective of installing around 3 GW of offshore wind by 2035.
Development Zone 1 covers 631 square kilometres and could accommodate 1.9 GW. Zones 2 and 3 cover 149 and 168 square kilometres, respectively, with an estimated 600 MW available in each. Water depths range from 55 to 75 metres, while average wind speeds are estimated at 7.7–7.9 metres per second at 150 metres.
At indicative European offshore wind construction costs of approximately €3–4 million per MW, the initial 3.1 GW phase could require around €9–12 billion before major onshore grid reinforcement and financing costs. Final economics will depend on turbine scale, foundation type, port infrastructure, local-content obligations and the support mechanism adopted for concession auctions.
Two further zones offering 2.4 GW have been deferred because they overlap with military areas and the safety perimeter of an active firing range. Their development would require the relocation or redesign of defence activities before concessions could proceed.
The largest zone is planned for after 2035. It covers 2,195 square kilometres, reaches water depths of 135 metres and has an estimated capacity of 6 GW. Development could combine conventional fixed-bottom structures, deep-water foundations and floating wind technology.
The proposed zones also overlap with the Istria, Midia, Luceafărul and Neptun hydrocarbon blocks, creating potential conflicts around safety corridors, subsea infrastructure and marine logistics. Environmental screening identified risks involving migratory birds, marine mammals, fisheries, protected habitats, cultural heritage and navigation.
Inclusion in the plan does not create a development right. Each project will still require a concession, environmental assessment, grid solution and complete permitting package. Romania has defined the scale of its offshore opportunity; concession design and transmission planning will determine whether the mapped 11.5 GW becomes an investable market.
