In a significant move toward harnessing the abundant offshore wind energy in the Black Sea, the Romanian government has approved a new bill on Thursday. This legislation is designed to streamline the process of tapping into the offshore wind potential of the Black Sea, aligning with Romania's commitments outlined in its National Recovery and Resilience Plan. The plan is integral to the country's strategic goals for decarbonizing the energy sector.

Romania boasts a substantial wind energy potential in the Black Sea, estimated at 76 gigawatts according to a World Bank report, making it a crucial asset in the country's journey toward sustainable and renewable energy.

Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu highlighted the vast potential, stating, "We have a huge potential, there are investments of billions of euros prepared, waiting for this new legislative framework. Now we can use this potential to produce green and cheap energy for the benefit of Romanians."

To expedite the implementation of this initiative, Romanian Energy Minister Sebastian Burduja has called for an emergency parliamentary procedure. This procedure aims to secure parliamentary approval within 30 days from the commencement of the new parliamentary session on February 1.

As part of the government's offshore wind push, specific offshore wind perimeters in the Black Sea eligible for concession will be identified and approved by the end of June 2025. This decision will be informed by an environmental study initiated by the Energy Ministry.

While the momentum is building, actual energy generation from the Black Sea wind is anticipated to commence in 2032, according to Burduja. This aligns with Romania's commitment to national and broader European Union targets. The EU has set a 2030 target of at least 60 gigawatts of offshore wind and an ambitious long-term goal of reaching 300 gigawatts by 2050. Romania's efforts contribute to the collective push toward cleaner and more sustainable energy sources within the EU.