Summary sheet
The project covers the design, construction and operation of a solar photovoltaic (PV) plant with a capacity of about 1 GW in Arad county, western Romania.
The operation supports EU renewable energy objectives and supports Romania in meeting its commitments with respect to greenhouse gas emission reduction targets, as set out in its latest National Energy and Climate Plan. The financing of this project is in line with the EIB's priority energy lending related to renewable energy and climate action. The project is expected to contribute to climate action and environmental sustainability objectives, in particular to climate change mitigation and pollution prevention and control, as well as security of supply. It helps addressing negative environmental externalities, a market failure, by limiting the emissions of carbon dioxide and other air pollutants. Situated in a Cohesion Priority Region, the project will contribute to support less developed regions.
Due to their technical characteristics, solar PV plants and grid connection infrastructure such as the one foreseen for the project fall under Annex II of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) Directive 2011/92/EU as amended by the Directive 2014/52/EU, leaving it to the competent authority to determine whether an EIA is required. According to the information provided by the promoter, the PV plant and its grid connection infrastructure have been screened out of EIA process under national legislation. According to the screening decisions no significant environmental or social impact can be expected from the project, provided that the requested mitigations are implemented. This will be verified during appraisal.
The promoter has been assessed by the EIB as being a private company not being subject to EU rules on public procurement or concessions. The promoter does not seek to operate on the basis of special or exclusive right granted by a competent authority in relation to this project. This will be confirmed during appraisal.