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Romania’s green transition is creating new business opportunities, but where is the real commercial potential? From energy storage and smart grids to regulatory challenges and project readiness, the market offers opportunities that extend well beyond renewable energy generation.
These were the central themes of “Romania’s Green Transition: Business Opportunities for Swedish and International Companies”, a webinar hosted by Explore Markets on 12 October 2026.
The event brought together three complementary perspectives:
- Mihaela Stanel, Explore Markets, explored Romania’s investment landscape, its position as a growing European market and opportunities linked to the green transition.
- Mats Lundin, Swedish Romanian Business Association, highlighted developments in the Romanian energy sector and practical opportunities for international companies.
- Nicoleta Almaj, ALMAJ Attorneys-At-Law, explained the legal and regulatory factors influencing renewable energy investments, project bankability and energy market participation.
Fredrik Udd, Explore Markets, opened and concluded the webinar, connecting the sector insights to practical business development and market-entry considerations.
The discussion highlighted five findings particularly relevant to Swedish and international companies considering Romania.
1. Romania’s green transition is creating opportunities across the energy value chain
Romania offers an attractive combination of market size, strategic location and investment potential.
With a population of approximately 19 million, the country represents a sizeable domestic market within the European Union. Its geographical position connects Central Europe, the Balkans and the Black Sea region, making it relevant for companies developing business across several regional markets.
Romania’s EU and NATO membership, together with its full accession to the Schengen Area in 2025, further strengthens its position as a regional business hub.
During the webinar, Mihaela Stanel highlighted that the country’s investment potential extends across several interconnected sectors, including energy, infrastructure, technology and advanced manufacturing.
Energy is one of the central areas of opportunity.
According to figures presented during the webinar, Romania’s power market capacity was estimated at 25.29 GW in 2025 and projected to reach 38.86 GW by 2031.
European funding is helping drive investment, while existing infrastructure requires substantial modernisation.
For international companies, this creates opportunities beyond supplying renewable generation technologies.
The market also needs:
- Energy storage and flexibility solutions
- Grid infrastructure and network connections
- Smart energy systems and digital technologies
- Energy efficiency solutions
- Engineering, integration and technical services
Key takeaway: Romania’s energy transition is creating demand throughout the value chain, from technology and equipment to software, infrastructure and project delivery.
For companies evaluating the market, identifying which part of this value chain best matches their capabilities is an important first step.
2. Energy storage and grid infrastructure are becoming critical priorities
One of the clearest messages from the webinar was the growing importance of energy storage and electricity network development.
Mats Lundin identified energy storage, new grid connections, infrastructure and access to qualified energy-sector resources as areas where Romania faces practical challenges and business needs.
As renewable generation expands, the electricity system must accommodate increasing volumes of variable power production.
However, existing transmission and distribution infrastructure creates limitations for connecting new projects and managing electricity flows.
Energy storage is becoming increasingly important
Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) can help address several of these challenges.
They provide flexibility, help manage differences between electricity generation and consumption, and create opportunities to respond to fluctuations in electricity prices.
The webinar highlighted a 130% year-on-year increase in the number of negative hourly electricity prices in Romania in 2025, with similar market dynamics continuing into 2026.
These developments reflect the changing economics of renewable energy generation and reinforce the commercial importance of flexibility.
For suppliers and technology providers, opportunities may include battery storage equipment, system integration, engineering services, optimisation software and solutions supporting the commercial operation of energy assets.
Energy storage projects also require an understanding of revenue models, electricity trading arrangements and technical constraints.
Key takeaway: Romania needs technologies that make its energy system more flexible and reliable, not simply additional generation capacity.
For international companies, opportunities exist in addressing these practical infrastructure challenges.
3. Smart energy technologies are opening new opportunities for software and technology providers
Another important finding from the webinar was the increasing role of digital technologies in Romania’s energy transformation.
The rapid expansion of decentralised generation is changing the way electricity networks operate.
According to figures presented during the webinar, Romania had more than 359,000 active prosumers, contributing over 4 GW of decentralised solar generation.
Managing electricity flows from distributed generation sources requires improved monitoring, automation and data management.
At the same time, investments in smart metering and grid digitalisation are creating demand for new technological solutions.
Five smart energy opportunities identified during the webinar
Smart metering and advanced data analytics
Distribution network operators are expanding smart meter deployment, creating demand for metering infrastructure, communications systems and analytical software.
Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) and aggregator platforms
As distributed energy resources become more common, software that coordinates generation, storage and electricity consumption can support more efficient market participation and energy management.
Energy management systems
Businesses, energy communities and other electricity users need technologies that improve the monitoring and optimisation of energy consumption and generation.
Demand-side response and smart building automation
Solutions enabling electricity consumption to respond to market prices or grid requirements are becoming increasingly relevant as the energy system becomes more dynamic.
Smart EV charging and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technologies
The development of electric mobility creates additional opportunities for intelligent charging infrastructure and software integration.
These segments are relevant not only to large energy equipment manufacturers but also to specialised software developers, technology providers, systems integrators and engineering firms.
Key takeaway: Romania’s green transition is also a digital transformation opportunity.
Companies offering data analytics, automation, energy management software and intelligent infrastructure solutions may find opportunities beyond traditional renewable energy projects.
4. A large renewable energy project pipeline does not necessarily mean bankable projects
Perhaps one of the most important findings for companies planning to enter the Romanian energy market concerned the difference between announced projects and commercially viable opportunities.
During the webinar, Nicoleta Almaj presented data illustrating the gap between Romania’s renewable energy development pipeline and the number of projects ready to proceed.
| Project development stage | Number of projects |
| Renewable energy projects with valid technical connection approvals (ATR) | 1,431 |
| Projects with signed grid connection agreements | 871 |
| Projects with both grid connection agreements and building permits | 595 |
| Advanced projects expected to reach commercial operation in 2026 | 107 |
The 1,431 projects with valid ATRs represented approximately 81.3 GW of approved capacity.
However, only 107 advanced projects, representing around 3.8 GW, were expected to reach commercial operation during 2026.
These figures illustrate why international suppliers should approach project pipelines with care.
A project listed in a development pipeline does not necessarily represent an immediate opportunity to sell equipment or services.
What determines whether a project can move forward?
The webinar highlighted several legal, technical and financial considerations affecting project bankability.
These included:
- Securing land rights and following the required legal procedures
- Obtaining relevant permits and authorisations
- Securing grid connection agreements
- Understanding network reinforcement costs and technical limitations
- Meeting financial guarantee requirements
- Ensuring that contractual arrangements support project implementation
Regulatory changes introduced in 2026 also aimed to reduce speculative activity in the renewable energy project pipeline.
For international companies, these requirements have direct commercial implications.
A developer may express interest in a technology or service, but the commercial opportunity depends on whether the underlying project has reached a sufficiently advanced stage.
Key takeaway: Project qualification is just as important as market opportunity identification.
Before investing resources in prospective customers or partners, international suppliers should evaluate project maturity, financing, permitting and implementation readiness.
5. Local knowledge and the right partners are essential for turning opportunities into business
Romania’s energy transition offers opportunities across several areas, but successful market entry requires an understanding of the local commercial environment.
During the webinar, the speakers highlighted the importance of combining international technological expertise with local market knowledge and relevant business relationships.
Different segments of the energy market involve different customers, regulatory requirements and purchasing processes.
For example, a company supplying smart grid software may need to engage with electricity distribution operators, while an energy storage supplier may work with developers, investors, engineering companies or energy traders.
Businesses involved in electricity trading and supply must also navigate specific licensing, balancing and financial requirements.
What should Swedish and international companies consider?
The webinar concluded with several practical recommendations.
Focus on a specific market need
Rather than approaching Romania with a broad offering, identify where a product or service addresses an existing technical or commercial challenge.
Demonstrate measurable value
International experience can be a competitive advantage, but customers need to understand the practical benefits of a solution.
This may include increased reliability, operational efficiency, cost savings or improved project delivery.
Qualify projects and partners early
Understanding the maturity, financial position and decision-making structure of potential customers can help companies concentrate resources on opportunities with genuine commercial potential.
Identify the right route to market
Depending on the offering, market entry may require a local distributor, systems integrator, project developer, engineering partner or direct relationships with customers.
Move from market research to business conversations
Market information becomes commercially valuable when it leads to direct engagement with relevant decision-makers.
Targeted outreach, introductory meetings and partner discussions allow companies to test their value proposition and identify concrete business opportunities.
Key takeaway: Success in Romania will depend not only on having the right technology, but also on reaching the right customers, selecting credible partners and understanding when projects are ready to proceed.
Exploring business opportunities in Romania?
Whether your company provides energy technologies, software, infrastructure solutions or specialised services, identifying the right market opportunities and partners can make a significant difference.
Explore Markets can help you assess demand, identify relevant companies and start conversations with potential customers and partners in Romania.
This article is based on the webinar “Romania’s Green Transition: Business Opportunities for Swedish and International Companies”, organised by Explore Markets on 12 October 2026, with contributions from the Swedish Romanian Business Association and ALMAJ Attorneys-At-Law. Market figures and regulatory information reflect the data presented during the webinar.
