DRI finalises Văcărești solar park, its fourth major project in Romania, boosting total operational capacity to nearly 300MW

22 December, Amsterdam - DRI, the EU renewables arm of Ukraine’s largest private energy company DTEK, has completed construction of its latest project, the 126 MWp Văcărești solar park, which has now begun generating power. With this milestone, DRI’s operational renewable portfolio in Romania has grown to nearly 300 MWp in just three years, strengthening its position as a key contributor to the country’s energy transition.

The Vacărești solar park will generate enough clean energy to power 50,000 households* and prevent 48,600 tonnes of carbon emissions each year**.

The new solar project, whose construction began in January 2025, joins DRI’s existing assets, including the combined 113 MWp Glodeni I and II solar parks, as well as the 60 MWp Ruginoasa wind farm. Ruginoasa was Romania’s first new wind project in a decade, and was completed in just 10 months from permit approval.

Murat Cinar, CEO of DRI, said: “Reaching this level of capacity in such a short time shows our operational agility and commitment to high-quality delivery. By working closely with the national grid operators, local authorities, and reliable contractors, we were able to seamlessly complete the project and to the highest standards. This is a model we replicate across all our markets. In Romania, our priority now is to maximise the value of our operating assets and we will be exploring opportunities to enhance sustainable returns in the coming months ahead. We are ready to adapt as the market continues to evolve.”

From January 2027, half of the Văcărești solar park’s output will be supplied to OMV Petrom S.A., Southeastern Europe’s largest integrated energy producer, under Romania’s largest-ever physical solar Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) signed in December 2024. 

Earlier this year, DRI secured a non-recourse financing package of up to EUR 60 million from UniCredit and Garanti BBVA to fund construction and operations of the solar park, demonstrating its ability to partner with globally renowned financial institutions. 

DRI has launched social projects in every community where it operates across Romania, focusing on healthcare and youth education on green energy and the energy transition. In the Vacărești area, DRI has supported local events that bring the community together and provided packs for the local children. In Ulmi and Lucieni, DRI carried out the same activity in collaboration with Ostenweg and Eximprod.

Across its priority markets, DRI now boasts a 1.4 GW portfolio of solar, onshore wind and battery storage (BESS) projects across operation, construction and other stages of development.

* based on Statista, Electricity consumption for households in Romania 2017-2022, by consumption bands
 ** based on Statista, Carbon intensity of the power sector in the European Union in 2022