Romania allocates 250 million euros for smart meters and energy storage

Romania is set to significantly boost its energy infrastructure with 250 million euros allocated for smart metering and energy storage solutions. Ilie Bolojan, serving as interim Minister of Energy, has signed orders to launch two support programs funded by the European Modernization Fund. These initiatives are designed to optimize energy consumption, reduce bills for consumers, and enhance the national grid's capacity.

The first program focuses on smart metering, with 100 million euros designated for the country's four concessionary distribution operators. Each operator can receive up to 25 million euros to install over 800,000 smart meters. These meters will enable billing based on actual consumption, thereby curbing network losses and fraud. The application period for this program is set to open on August 3, 2026.

The second initiative targets the development of independent energy storage facilities, receiving a substantial 150 million euros. This funding will support the creation of new battery parks with a minimum storage capacity of 2,174 MWh. Projects will be selected through a competitive auction based on the lowest cost per MWh, with individual company caps set at 15 million euros. The application window for storage projects is scheduled to open on September 1, 2026.

Bolojan emphasized that this new funding will play a crucial role in optimizing energy usage and ultimately lowering energy costs for Romanian citizens in the near future. The projects are expected to be completed by the end of 2029 for smart meters and by the end of 2030 for energy storage facilities, marking a significant step towards a more modern and efficient energy system in Romania.

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The new allocation of 250 million euros, in the form of European grants from the Modernization Fund, will support the optimization of energy consumption, so that the cost of the energy bill will be reduced in the following period.