Romania May Double Wind Farm Capacity by End-2011 – Wind Power Association

BUCHAREST (Romania), June 16 (SeeNews) –Romania's wind energy capacity may double to 1,000 megawatts (MW) by the end of the year even though some investors are exiting the market due to legal issues, local news agency Mediafax reported.

The 1,000 MW expected to be installed by the end of the year will meet the power demand of 1.4 million households, Mediafax reported on Wednesday quoting data of the Romanian wind energy association (RWEA).

By the end of 2012, wind power capacity is expected to reach 2,000 MW, which could satisfy the needs of over 7.7 million Romanians, according to RWEA.

However, industry officials note that some investors are considering dumping projects because of the "legislative chaos" in Romania.

Currently, Czech group CEZ has capacities of a total 340 MW connected to the national power grid, while Portugal’s Energias has 160 MW and Italy’s Enel has 30 MW, Mediafax said.

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