NEPI Rockcastle expands renewable energy capacity with 54.1 MW solar park in Romania

NEPI Rockcastle plans to increase the share of self-generated renewable energy supplying its shopping centres and tenants in Romania to 48% of their electricity demand by the end of 2026, up from 6% at the end of 2024. The company is constructing a new 54.1 MW solar park in western Romania as part of a €110 million investment programme, which represents the largest green energy commitment to date by a non-energy corporate across Central and Eastern Europe.

The solar park, located in Chișineu-Criș in Arad County, began construction in January 2025 and is expected to be connected to the grid in the fourth quarter of the year. Once operational, the facility will account for roughly a third of NEPI Rockcastle’s planned total photovoltaic capacity of 159 MW, encompassing rooftop and ground-mounted installations across 28 properties and various greenfield projects.

LONGi Solar, a major global manufacturer of photovoltaic panels, supplied 84,000 Hi-MO 9 back contact (BC) modules for the project. These panels, with a module efficiency of 24.8% and enhanced thermal performance, are designed for high energy yield and low maintenance, suited to Romania’s climate conditions.

Andrei Radu, Group Development Director at NEPI Rockcastle, stated that the company’s renewable energy programme is progressing in stages as part of its broader sustainability and decarbonisation strategy. He explained that the €110 million investment includes photovoltaic installations across 23 properties in Central and Eastern Europe and greenfield developments in Romania. Radu noted that partnering with LONGi for the Chișineu-Criș solar park supports NEPI Rockcastle’s goal of increasing renewable energy use and energy autonomy across its retail portfolio.

The project is being delivered through SOLPOWER Energy, with engineering and construction services provided by Enevo Group. It represents the largest utility-scale solar development in Romania focused on retail infrastructure.

The Chișineu-Criș solar park is expected to generate approximately 70,171 MWh of electricity annually, sufficient to supply power to around 29,300 Romanian households and offset an estimated 21,100 tonnes of CO₂ emissions each year.

Mirel Jarnea, Country Manager Utility Scale Business Unit at LONGi, highlighted the role of BC technology in improving performance and ensuring energy stability for large-scale projects like NEPI Rockcastle’s operations in Romania. Eduard Meiloiu, Executive Director Renewables BU at Enevo, emphasised the benefits of the technology, citing higher efficiency, improved thermal performance, and long-term reliability, all of which contributed to delivering a project tailored to local conditions and aligned with Romania’s sustainability targets.

In addition to its environmental benefits, the Chișineu-Criș project has contributed to the local economy in Arad County by creating over 100 jobs and involving regional contractors during the construction phase, demonstrating the broader socio-economic impact of renewable energy investments.