Romanian oil and gas company OMV Petrom has signed an EPCC (Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Commissioning) contract for its Isalnita solar project. The contract covers the construction of the solar power plant, a 110 kV substation for connecting the facility to the electricity grid, as well as the operation and maintenance of the plant for two years post-commissioning.
The contract was awarded to a consortium of Romanian companies, including Actual Connect, Global Technical Systems, Bit Invest, and Alpin Sun, following a tender process earlier this year. This consortium has extensive experience, having installed over 700 MW of solar capacity across countries such as Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Romania.
Franck Neel, Executive Board Member at OMV Petrom responsible for Gas & Power, emphasized that the signing of the contract marks a major milestone for the company, as it kicks off the construction of its first large-scale solar project. He highlighted that this project underlines OMV Petrom’s commitment to the renewable energy sector and reinforces its leadership role in Romania’s energy transition.
The Isalnita solar project, which received the final investment decision in June 2024, will have an installed capacity of 89 MW. It is located in the Isalnita commune, Dolj County, and is expected to generate approximately 130 GWh of electricity annually. Construction is slated to begin soon, with the plant expected to be completed and commissioned by the first half of 2026.
This initiative is part of OMV Petrom’s broader renewable energy strategy, aiming for a portfolio of 2.5 GW of renewable energy projects in collaboration with various partners. Additionally, OMV Petrom has submitted a proposal under Romania’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) to build a 36 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) with an 18 MW output, which, if approved, will be integrated into the Isalnita solar project.
