“We believe the time for high-capacity projects has passed. Now is time for smaller projects, which can power the surrounding areas without affecting the national grid,” Calota said Wednesday.
Installed green power capacity in Romania currently exceeds 3,000 MW, the bulk of which comes from wind farms. By comparison, biomass and biogas units reach only 100 MW.
ANRE officials estimate biomass capacities will increase to 500 MW in the next four to five years.
Romania lags behind other European countries in terms of biomass energy production and producers should be stimulated to expand their local capabilities, Calota said.
The authorities in Bucharest have been considering new regulations for small renewable energy producers, including the introduction of a feed-in tariff for production units with installed capacities of one to two megawatts.