Andrei Manea, Executive Director of the RPIA: Supporting Circularity and Resilience of the PV Value Chain
Andrei Manea – Executive Director of the Romanian Photovoltaic Industry Association, shares some insights and thoughts about Romania’s ambitious renewable energy targets, the benefits of clean energy and RPIA’s role in EMPOWER and RETRIEVE Horizon Europe projects.
The Romanian Photovoltaic Industry Association (RPIA) is a key platform for the solar energy sector in Romania, which serves as the voice of the photovoltaic industry and the broader clean energy value chain.
Driving the dialogue around the fastest-growing, most scalable, and increasingly affordable energy sources in Romania, RPIA believes that solar power is the key enabler for Romania’s pathway towards carbon neutrality and energy security, helping to shape a green foundation for its modern society and economy.
Andrei Manea is the Executive Director of the Romanian Photovoltaic Industry Association and also a Board Member of RWEA – the Romanian Wind Energy Association, offering a complementary perspective on the evolving dynamics of clean energy in Romania.
In parallel, Andrei serves as Development Director at OX2 Romania, where he is involved in expanding the company’s renewable energy portfolio through project development and strategic planning, with a focus on both solar and wind technologies, complemented with storage projects.
Previously, Andrei spent over a decade at Enel, where he held several strategic roles across regulatory, development, and European affairs. As Head of Regulatory Affairs and later Business Development Manager at Enel Green Power, he represented the company in its external relations and coordinated cross-functional teams to identify and assess renewable energy opportunities — helping shape a pipeline of over 2,000 MW in wind, solar, and storage. Later, in a group-level role as European Institutional Affairs and Funding Specialist, he worked closely with EU stakeholders and internal leadership to advance sustainable finance and funding priorities.
Building on this experience, Andrei continues to follow with interest the implementation of emerging models such as energy communities, especially in regions with limited access to grid infrastructure—reflecting a broader commitment to real-world energy challenges and solutions.
Andrei’s professional vision is grounded in the pursuit of a more open, inclusive, and efficient energy system—one where public decisions are informed by market realities and the transformative potential of clean technologies.
Dear Andrei Manea, as part of its energy transition strategy, Romania is aiming to expand wind and solar power with goals to significantly increase renewable energy generation by 2030 and 2045. What is RPIA’s position on this market momentum?
Andrei Manea: Indeed, compared with the previous iteration of the National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP), Romania has taken a significant stride in its green energy transition efforts, increasing the share of renewable sources (RES) from 30.7% to 38.3% by 2030 and 44% by 2035. Consequently, the 2030 installation objectives doubled for solar, rising from 5 GW to 10 GW (out of which 6.4 GW in utility-scale and 3.5 GW in prosumers, with 100 MW for diverse applications), while the goal for onshore wind was expanded from 5.3 GW to 7.3 GW. Looking at the 2040s horizon, the strategic and programmatic documents envision a more than two-fold growth for both sectors in the next two decades, projecting a minimum of 26 GW of solar and 15 GW of wind. While the increase in ambition is undeniable, considering the broader European context, Romania still falls short of its targets. Under the 2023 Renewable Energy Directive (RED III), the binding RES objective at the EU-level is set at 42.5%, complemented by a 2.5% aspirational goal. In this respect, our national contribution is appreciated at 41%, a 2.7% addition relative to the current target, which would mean an augmentation of 2.8 GW (1.1 GW in solar and 1.7 GW in wind). This ambition gap unjustifiably prolongs the structural dependence on fossil fuels, leading to higher and more volatile electricity prices that further affect our commercial and industrial development. As underlined in the Competitiveness Compass, climate action and economic growth are deeply interlinked, with solar, the fastest-growing and most versatile generation technology being at the forefront of affordability and widespread access to energy. As we accelerate toward electrification, including in the industrial sector, with Clean Industrial Deal proposing a target of 32%, marking an 8% increase compared to the previous ambition level, it becomes evident that a significant scale-up of RES deployment is necessary.
Therefore, from RPIA’s perspective, we need to leverage the solar and wind resources, which are abundant in our country, by increasing our national targets and removing the existing barriers to deliver clean, affordable and locally generated energy. Furthermore, expanding the share of RES in the energy mix drives down costs, benefiting consumers and industries alike through lower and more stable prices.
Despite some advancements related to regulations to encourage a more attractive environment for green energy development, Romania’s renewable energy sector still faces significant challenges. The aging grid infrastructure struggles to accommodate the increasing amount of electricity generated from intermittent renewable sources. What other challenges do you see in this regard?
Andrei Manea: First and foremost, it must be noted that the general framework for RES development has undergone significant improvement over the past two to three years. To put things into perspective, when it comes to the permitting process, Romania has one of the shortest plan-to-completion times in Europe for solar projects, two to two and a half years. Yet, as you have anticipated, despite the legislative advancements, grid connection remains one of the main bottlenecks our industry faces. This situation is caused, on the one hand, by the aging infrastructure requiring reinforcement works, with completion deadlines beyond the developer’s control and, on the other, by the systematic postponement of new evacuation lines finalization, compounded by massive investment appetite.
Additionally, in geographical areas with significant solar and wind potential, deadlines are further extended due to grid congestion resulting from the high number of technical connection approvals (ATR), putting pressure on transmission and distribution operators. As it is a competitive market, not all projects will reach maturity, which is why we welcome ANRE’s implementation of the guarantee system that RPIA, together with RWEA, proposed.
What is needed now is the strengthening of the existing regulatory framework through the clarification of remaining lacunae, such as the timeline for obtaining the operational license and the timely implementation of the European pieces of legislation, like the Electricity Market Design. In this respect, as the market moves toward maturity, it is necessary that no major changes to the grid connection process, such as moving from a first come, first served system to an auction-based mechanism, are introduced without a sufficient transition period. Otherwise, the market is likely to be blocked, and investments necessary to achieve Romania’s renewable energy targets risk not being completed, which has a direct adverse effect on the final price of electricity produced in the country.
In parallel with regulatory developments, grid operators must finalize planned investments in transmission and distribution networks to ensure that all of the renewable energy capacities finalized in the near future can deliver energy to the system. Measures should be taken to increase accountability for potential delays by establishing mechanisms with stricter timelines, penalties for non-compliance, and transparent reporting systems is necessary.
Last but certainly not least, a skilled workforce represents another crucial aspect of successful renewable energy deployment. Hence, it is necessary to invest in vocational training, encourage research and development, and support the skilling and reskilling programs. Without an adequate workforce, even projects without infrastructural barriers could face significant implementation challenges.
Energy storage is essential for a green transition. What would be some key measures to accelerate storage deployment, including policies or regulatory frameworks?
Andrei Manea: Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are crucial for integrating RES into the grid. Operating in tandem with solar or wind by absorbing the surplus power during high-generation periods and releasing it, when necessary, such as during peak demands, power outages, or balancing, BESS reduces curtailment and maximizes the utilization of green energy. Beyond their storage role, batteries help maintain grid stability by responding to fluctuations in frequency and voltage and provide congestion relief where the network is saturated or underdeveloped, which creates a buffer period for the completion of long-term and complex infrastructure upgrades.
Over the past several months, the Romanian BESS market has experienced rapid growth, driven by a combination of regulatory and financial developments. Key legislative changes, such as the elimination of double taxation, have contributed to a more transparent and supportive regulatory framework.
In parallel, significant funding opportunities from instruments like the National Recovery and Resilience Plan and the Modernization Fund have facilitated investment in storage projects. These factors, along with rising demand for flexibility and grid support, led to an exponential increase in installed capacity, from 7 MW (13 MWh) in mid-2024 to over 240 MW (approximately 410 MWh) in 2025, projected to exceed 500 MW (1 GWh) by the end of the year.
However, this growth remains modest compared to system needs. According to the transmission system operator Transelectrica, integrating all planned renewable energy capacities will require between 10 and 20 GWh of energy storage by 2030.
Therefore, operationalizing the Modernization Fund dedicated to BESS, announced earlier this year, is essential. This instrument would complement the legislative framework and provide targeted financial support to scale up storage capacity, thereby enhancing grid flexibility, reducing curtailment, and supporting the broader integration of renewable energy into the national energy system.
Current investment trends show a new age of electricity is drawing nearer. As solar scales up, so does its role in enabling electrification of heat, transport, and industrial demand. How can sector coupling be enhanced to foster grid stability and boost system efficiency?
Andrei Manea: I would not say that the new age of electricity is drawing nearer, but that it is already here. Over the past years, we have radically changed how we plan, produce and consume energy. With RES, particularly solar, scaling rapidly, the focus is now shifting toward integrating these resources across heating and cooling, transport, and industry.
Sector coupling, the strategic interlinking of electricity with other energy-consuming sectors, is essential for achieving cost-effective decarbonization, as it unlocks synergies between different parts of the system, improves efficiency, and supports a more flexible and resilient grid. Electrification, where feasible, is central to this effort, as electric technologies, like heat pumps and electric vehicles are not only more efficient than their fossil-fuel counterparts but also benefit from the reduced cost of renewable electricity.
In the building sector, achieving climate neutrality requires widespread adoption of clean electrification technologies, improved energy efficiency, and the phasing out of fossil-fuel heating.
Heat pumps, powered by renewable electricity, which can be operated based on real-time electricity prices or grid signals, helping balance supply and demand, are a cornerstone of this transformation. Coupled with smart thermostats, real-time pricing, and demand response systems, buildings can actively support grid stability while contributing to emissions reductions.
In parallel, the Clean Industrial Deal aims to decarbonise Europe’s industrial base while preserving competitiveness. For sectors where electrification is technically difficult, such as steel, cement, and chemicals, renewable or low-carbon gases like green hydrogen and synthetic fuels will play a complementary role. Emerging technologies, including hydrogen-based steel production and carbon-neutral feedstocks, will be essential to achieving deep decarbonisation in these areas.
Enhancing sector coupling requires smart, flexible demand systems. In transport, this includes coordinated electric vehicle charging and the use of vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technologies, which enable EVs to act as mobile energy storage units.
To enable this transformation, digital infrastructure and market reform are critical. Real-time data, dynamic pricing, and automated demand response systems allow both consumers and industries to actively support grid stability. Policymakers must also play a central role by introducing incentives and regulatory frameworks that promote cross-sector integration and flexible consumption.
Ultimately, enhancing sector coupling not only boosts grid stability and system efficiency, but also accelerates the transition toward a fully decarbonized, interconnected, and resilient energy future.
In February this year, the Romanian Government published a draft Emergency Ordinance confirming its intention to join the Association of Issuing Bodies (AIB) by June 1, 2026. This is an important step toward integrating Romania into the European system for Guarantees of Origin (GOs). Romania is also on track with its OECD accession. What are the major benefits of market integration for investors and end customers?
Andrei Manea: Romania’s moves toward joining the AIB and advancing its OECD accession signal a broader commitment to aligning with international standards and deepening market integration. For Investors, the AIB membership would connect Romania to the European Guarantees of Origin system, creating transparency and cross-border compatibility. RES producers would be able to trade GOs throughout the EU, accessing larger markets and increasing revenue opportunities. This standardization reduces transaction costs, improves market liquidity, and demonstrates regulatory maturity, which are key factors that reduce investment risk and attract international capital.
The OECD accession would complement the AIB membership by reinforcing institutional reforms and encouraging transparency, good governance, and stable economic policies, which would create a more predictable energy market.
In your opinion, what renewables can do to attract and build the right workforce?
Andrei Manea: A skilled workforce is a key pillar of the green energy transition, both at the EU level and nationally. Romania’s rapidly expanding solar sector is a major driver of job creation, with every million EUR invested generating an average of 6.1 jobs, as highlighted in our joint study with Deloitte and RWEA.
In the medium term, the PV sector alone is expected to create at least 100,000 full-time employment positions, placing our country, as per SolarPower Europe’s analysis, among the top seven markets in this field, together with Germany, Spain, Italy, Greece, France, and Poland. To fully capitalize on this growth, targeted investment in vocational training, research and development, and structured programs is essential, especially in the context of a growing demand for solar panel installation, maintenance, grid integration, and energy storage.
In this sense, Romania is a frontrunner in workforce development, already having training facilities. Still, to ensure a scalable, future-proof labour force will require continuous investment, policy support, and industry collaboration.
Currently, according to data from Romania’s National Energy Regulatory Authority (ANRE), prosumers represent more than half of the country’s total solar capacity. How can prosumers contribute to a more sustainable energy system?
Andrei Manea: Romania’s distributed generation segment totals over 2,7 GW, deployed mainly in the past three years. Prosumers are an integral part of our sector, highlighting the benefits of solar energy as an affordable, accessible, and cost-effective solution. Rooftop PV, irrespective of whether it is residential or commercial and industrial, is crucial for the decentralization and democratization of energy access, supporting also sustainable production and consumption practices at the local level. Beyond individual benefits, the prosumer segment supports two critical objectives.
First, it accelerates Romania’s transition to renewable energy, increasing the share of clean power and advancing decarbonization goals.
Second, it strengthens the electricity grid, reducing reliance on centralized power plants and transmission lines during peak demand. By fostering a more flexible and resilient energy system, distributed solar enhances the grid’s ability to efficiently integrate intermittent renewable sources.
Circular solar manufacturing, recycling, and sustainability are critical steps toward reaching a more resilient and sustainable energy future. What is the approach of RPIA on this topic?
Andrei Manea: Under the European Green Deal and the REPowerEU plan, solar is a building block of the EU’s transition to cleaner energy and cutting fossil fuel dependency. Starting with the energy crisis of 2022, the PV deployment pace increased year-on-year, reaching 337 GW of installed capacity by the end of 2024, with the aim of 750 GW by 2030.
Given the strategic importance of solar energy, attention is shifting to what happens when photovoltaic (PV) panels reach the end of their life cycle.
Research is now focusing on how these panels can be recovered and reused in new production cycles, as well as how critical raw materials can be used more efficiently. These steps are seen as essential for rebuilding solar manufacturing capacity in Europe.
In this context, RPIA, leading the policy framework development tasks, is actively contributing to two Horizon Europe-funded projects – RETRIEVE and EMPOWER – coordinated by the Institute for Energy Technology (IFE), which are focused on improving the circularity and resilience of the PV value chain.
RETRIEVE, comprising 18 partners from 10 countries, tackles Europe’s raw material independence by converting the forecasted influx of EoL panels into resources for new production cycles, strengthening domestic sourcing of raw materials in the EU and supporting the growth of the PV recycling industry.
EMPOWER, composed of 24 partners across nine countries, on the other hand, emerged as a response to the need to strengthen solar panel manufacturing in Europe, in a context where competition with markets such as China and the United States has become increasingly challenging.
The project aims to transform the European photovoltaic industry through the use of copper instead of silver, silicon wafer production without polysilicon, and the application of AI in manufacturing. The ultimate goal is to demonstrate these innovations at scale and pave the way for the establishment of gigawatt-scale PV manufacturing facilities in Europe.
Through its active participation, RPIA contributes to building a more resilient, sustainable, and economically viable solar sector in Europe, prepared to meet both current and future demands and challenges.
