Over 260 MW of grid connection capacity, intended for renewable energy power plants, become available to investors, after the National Agency for Energy Regulation applied the non-utilization fee for expired and unused connection permits. The measure targets capacities that had been reserved in the network, without the projects being implemented, reports IPN.

The Administration Council of ANRE has adopted nine resolutions regarding the application of this tax, the total value exceeding 131 million lei. The approvals were issued for eight photovoltaic power plant projects and one wind farm project, with a total capacity of 262.45 MW. According to ANRE, the capacity was reserved in the network without being used for the implementation of real investments.

The introduction of the non-valorization tax and the performance bond was initiated last year by the Ministry of Energy, to hold accountable the holders of connection permits. The measure was adopted in the context where some of the permits were obtained without the projects being completed within the established deadlines, which limited the access of other energy initiatives to the network.

In accordance with the legislation, the holders of permits who have not voluntarily renounced them by June 30, 2025 and have not implemented the projects will pay, upon the expiration of the permits, a fee between 50% and 70% of the value of the financial guarantee for good execution. For permits issued after this date, the financial guarantee is mandatory when obtaining the permit, and in the absence of the power plant being built, the sum will be retained by the network operator for maintenance and infrastructure development.