The energy landscape in Romania has received a significant boost with the issuance of a commercial operating license for the 135 MW Studina solar power plant, marking a pivotal regulatory milestone. Situated in the Oltenia region, this project is predominantly backed by China Huadian, a major state-owned energy group from China, which plays a crucial role in the plant’s shareholder structure.
With this newly acquired license, the Studina solar facility has completed all necessary permitting processes for generation facilities. This allows it to register on electricity trading platforms and commence electricity sales, reflecting a critical step towards operational readiness and market participation.
The ownership of the Studina solar power plant is held by Grup Blauer Bucuresti, a Romanian entity that features a diverse mix of international renewable energy investors. Notably, China Huadian Hong Kong Company Limited holds a 45% stake in Grup Blauer Bucuresti. The remaining shares are divided equally between Studina Renewables and CWP Europe, each possessing 25.5%. This structure underscores China’s strategic push into overseas investments as part of its broader global expansion strategy through its Hong Kong subsidiary.
China Huadian is recognized as one of China’s largest electricity producers, managing an extensive generation portfolio estimated at around 178 GW and an annual electricity output of approximately 640 TWh. The company’s state-controlled status allows it to leverage its Hong Kong arm for developing energy projects beyond mainland China.
The acquisition of the Romanian project by CWP Europe occurred three years ago when it transitioned from local investors. At that time, CWP Europe had already secured a network connection agreement with Transelectrica, Romania’s transmission system operator. The solar plant is projected to begin operations by 2025, following the entry of China Huadian into the shareholder structure with a significant minority stake.
This development comes amidst a rapid increase in solar capacity within Romania, where installed solar capacity—including utility-scale projects and prosumers—has exceeded 7 GW as of 2025. Industry analysts anticipate that an additional 2.5 GW could be integrated into the network this year alone, further solidifying Romania’s position as one of the fastest-growing solar markets in Southeast Europe.
