The sun is shining brightly on Romania, and it’s not just the beautiful scenery that’s making waves. NEPI Rockcastle, Europe’s third-largest listed retail real estate company, is leading the charge in renewable energy, with a new 54.1 MW solar power park set to cover 48% of its shopping centers’ and tenants’ electricity demand by 2026.
Breaking Ground on a New Era in Renewable Energy
Construction on the solar park at Chișineu-Criș in Arad County began in January, marking a significant milestone in NEPI Rockcastle’s green energy program. The project is part of a €110 million initiative, which will see the company deploy new photovoltaic systems across 28 properties and multiple greenfield developments, totaling 159 MW of installed capacity.
- LONGi Solar, one of the largest producers of photovoltaic panels, has delivered 84,000 of its ‘highly efficient Hi-MO 9 back contact (BC) modules’ to Chișineu-Criș.
- The modules boast 24.8% module efficiency and enhanced thermal performance, making them optimised for Romania’s continental climate.
- These next-generation panels will ensure high-yield, low-maintenance, clean energy generation for decades to come.
A Partnership for a Brighter Future
NEPI Rockcastle’s green energy program is advancing through three major stages, reflecting the company’s long-term commitment to sustainability and decarbonization efforts. The partnership with LONGi Solar is a key component of this program, with the Chinese company delivering high-efficiency photovoltaic modules that will help drive the project’s success.
“NEPI Rockcastle’s green energy program is advancing through three major stages, reflecting our long-term commitment to sustainability and decarbonization efforts. We’re investing €110 million in new photovoltaic projects, including solar panel installations across 23 properties in CEE and greenfield developments in Romania totalling 159 MW in capacity,”
— Andrei Radu, Group Development Director at NEPI Rockcastle
A Flagship Utility-Scale Development
The Chișineu-Criș solar project represents Romania’s largest utility-scale solar power project dedicated to retail infrastructure. Delivered through SOLPOWER Energy and engineered by Enevo Group, the development will generate around 70,171 MWh of clean electricity each year, enough to power approximately 29,300 Romanian homes.
| Key Statistics | 70,171 MWh of clean electricity per year | 29,300 Romanian homes powered | 21,100 tons of CO₂ emissions avoided annually |
Economic Benefits and Environmental Impact
Beyond the environmental benefits, the project will create over 100 local jobs and give priority to regional contractors, boosting the local economy. The project will also help avoid around 21,100 tons of CO₂ emissions annually, contributing to climate goals. “This project exemplifies how BC technology transforms utility-scale solar into a reliable backbone for major infrastructure. Hi-MO 9’s unmatched performance ensures NEPI Rockcastle’s portfolio in Romania achieves energy stability,”
— Mirel Jarnea, Country Manager Utility Scale Business Unit at LONGI
About NEPI Rockcastle
NEPI Rockcastle is Europe’s third-largest listed retail real estate company, with a portfolio valued at €8 billion. The company operates shopping centers across eight Central and Eastern European countries, including Romania and Poland.
- NEPI Rockcastle has a substantial development program, with a current pipeline of €788 million in total investments.
- The company has acquired several shopping centers in recent years, including Magnolia Park Shopping Centre in Wroclaw, Poland, and Silesia City Center in Katowice, Poland.
- NEPI Rockcastle benefits from a unique portfolio of retail space across the CEE, assembled over the past 15 years.
About LONGI
LONGI Solar is a leading solar technology company, focusing on customer-driven value creation for full scenario energy transformation. The company has dedicated itself to technology innovation and established several business sectors, covering mono silicon wafers, cells and modules, commercial and industrial distributed solar solutions, green energy solutions, and hydrogen equipment.
A solar panel is a photovoltaic device that converts sunlight into electrical energy.
About Enevo Group
ENEVO Group is a Romanian engineering company specializing in the construction and modernization of electrical substations, renewable power plants, and industrial process automation systems. The company is built around an experienced, multidisciplinary team that includes specialists in energy, civil construction, automation, telecommunications, and cybersecurity for critical infrastructures.
A renewable energy source is an energy source that is replenished naturally, such as sunlight, wind, or hydroelectric power.
The Future of Renewable Energy in Romania
NEPI Rockcastle’s solar power project in Chișineu-Criș, Romania is a shining example of how renewable energy can drive economic growth and reduce carbon emissions. As the world continues to shift towards a more sustainable future, it’s clear that projects like this will play a crucial role in shaping the energy landscape. “We’re investing €110 million in new photovoltaic projects, including solar panel installations across 23 properties in CEE and greenfield developments in Romania totalling 159 MW in capacity,”
— Andrei Radu, Group Development Director at NEPI Rockcastle
The future of renewable energy in Romania is looking bright, and NEPI Rockcastle is leading the way. With its commitment to sustainability and decarbonization efforts, the company is setting a new standard for retail real estate development in the region. As the world continues to move towards a more sustainable future, it’s clear that projects like this will play a crucial role in shaping the energy landscape.
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