With more than 10 years of experience in the international renewable energy market, Ioannis Kalapodas previously held management positions in areas such as Business Development, Project Development, Engineering, Procurement and Construction, Project and Finance Management, gaining relevant and valuable expertise in this industry. Prior to his current position, he held management positions on the Romanian market since 2012, thus having a broad understanding of the local energy sector. In the new Head of Office role, Ioannis Kalapodas will focus on European Energy’s expansion strategy in the Romanian market, aiming to build the company’s presence through project developments and investments.
“Romania is preparing for a significant growth in the renewable energy sector, which will lead to a major transformation of the local energy sector and also to many benefits for the consumers and the environment. Trends in the world are very clear: the technology and the price are speeding up the growth of renewable energy in the coming years and I am happy to contribute to the green transition of Romania, a country which is considered among our top worldwide priorities,” said Ioannis Kalapodas, European Energy Head of Office in Romania.
European Energy is entering the Romanian market at a time where Romania plans to add 6.9 GW of new renewable energy capacity until 2030. More than 3.7 GW of that capacity is projected to be solar projects. Romania has a goal of reaching a level of 30.7% share of renewable energy in the country’s energy consumption until 2030. This ambitious target is giving Romania an important role in the Central and Eastern European region and will have a major impact on reducing carbon dioxide emissions (CO2) in the country.
Currently, Romania has a total installed capacity of 3 GW in wind farms and almost 1.4 GW in solar power plants, according to official data from Romania’s energy regulator ANRE. So, the existing installed capacity for electricity generation from these renewable sources will more than double by the end of 2030. The increasing demand for renewable energy will not only change the use of electricity but will also transform the heavy transportation and buildings heating sector in the coming decades.
Established in 2004, European Energy has installed and invested in approximately 2 GW wind and solar farms in 16 countries and currently has 1.1 GW of renewable energy capacity under construction in eight countries across Europe, Brazil, USA, and Australia.
The company plans to become a global major in the renewable sector, with projects in storage and hydrogen facilities. In co-ownership with REintegrate, a Danish Power-to-X start-up, European Energy will establish a new green e-methanol facility in Denmark, that will supply Mærsk A/S, the world’s largest container shipping and vessel operator, among others.
European Energy expects to build around 500 MW of fossil-free energy capacity every year – saving the planet from approximately 1.25 million tons of CO2.