“Parapet is currently involved in several large-scale renewable energy projects across Romania, covering both photovoltaic and wind technologies. One of our newest projects recently completed is the mechanical scope for a 108 MW solar power plant in Giurgiu, the largest PV park we’ve directly built in Romania. In total, over 350 MW are under construction in 2025 in locations such as Constanța, Dolj, Brăila, Sălaj, Teleorman and Călărași,” Andrada Moldovan, CEO Parapet, told The Diplomat-Bucharest.
“We see energy storage and re-powering as strategic pillars for our medium-term growth. We are currently enhancing our in-house capabilities to deliver light EPC and full EPC for storage systems. As PV plants from the early 2010s approach their mid-life point, we expect re-powering opportunities to expand.”
What are the key projects Parapet is currently working on, particularly in Romania?
Parapet is currently involved in several large-scale renewable energy projects across Romania, covering both photovoltaic and wind technologies. One of our newest projects recently completed is the mechanical scope for a 108 MW solar power plant in Giurgiu, the largest PV park we’ve directly built in Romania. In total, over 350 MW are under construction in 2025 in locations such as Constanța, Dolj, Brăila, Sălaj, Teleorman and Călărași. These projects include a combination of mechanical, electrical, and civil works — from ramming and mounting to full light EPC services. As a novelty, we are building our own PV power plant benefiting on the PNRR funding and contributing to renewable energy national capacities.
We are also expanding internationally, with newly signed Light EPC contracts in Italy and with newly installed PV power plants in Germany.
Are you seeing increased demand for integrated solutions like solar + storage or hybrid systems?
Absolutely, we are seeing a market shift towards integrated solutions, especially among large industrial clients and developers seeking energy autonomy, balancing services, or more predictable returns. Hybrid systems that combine photovoltaic (PV), wind, and battery energy storage (BESS) are seeing growing demand, and we are adapting accordingly. For instance, our team in Italy is preparing to build a PV power plant within a 40 MWp wind farm, integrating solar energy into an existing wind setup to create a more balanced energy mix.
At the same time, our internal engineering teams are actively working on projects that incorporate energy storage, anticipating significant growth in this segment as grid constraints and balancing requirements become increasingly complex. One concrete example is the hybrid power plant in Tulcea County, Romania. After adding 1.1 MWp of PV capacity to an existing 6.15 MW wind facility, we are returning this autumn to install a 2 MW battery system. This hybrid approach reduces renewable energy generation variability and optimizes the use of transmission and distribution infrastructure, contributing to greater grid stability.
How is Parapet positioning itself in the energy storage and re-powering segments?
We see energy storage and re-powering as strategic pillars for our medium-term growth. We are currently enhancing our in-house capabilities to deliver light EPC and full EPC for storage systems. As PV plants from the early 2010s approach their mid-life point, we expect re-powering opportunities to expand. In August 2024, Parapet completed the first repowering project for a photovoltaic power plant in southern Romania, Solar Electric Frăsinet, owned by an Austrian Group. As part of the repowering efforts, around 3 MWp of the installed capacity has been fully upgraded and, by replacing the damaged panels, the Frăsinet plant is now able to produce electricity at full capacity once again.
We have undertaken similar projects for the repowering of photovoltaic power plants in France, Germany, and Austria, replacing 100,000 photovoltaic panels and enhancing their efficiency by approximately 30%, while extending the lifespan of the repowered power plants by 15 years.
So, we already have experience in repowering and aim to continue supporting the power plants owners with these services, component upgrades, and integration of new storage technologies to extend asset lifespans and improve performance.
What are the main growth areas you’re targeting in the next 2–3 years?
In the next few years, our strategic growth will focus on expanding EPC and light EPC services in Romania, Italy, and Germany. At the same time, we envisage increasing our presence in wind and BESS projects, both standalone and co-located, deepening our involvement in hybrid energy systems and storage-integrated infrastructures. A strategic pillar for us is the digital component – strengthening our digital project management tools, fleet tracking, and predictive maintenance systems is crucial to improve efficiency and scalability of the renewable projects.
By far, the most important investment is in our team. We’ll continue to invest in local talent and workforce, including the diversification of roles in construction teams and technical departments. One of the strongest assets we’re building is the formation of mixed Italian -German-Romanian teams that collaborate closely across our projects in Europe. These multicultural teams bring together complementary skill sets, on-the-ground experience, and engineering know-how from different regulatory and technical environments.
How would you describe the current state of the Romanian renewable energy market?
Following several years of stagnation after the green certificate boom, the market has seen a revival driven by corporate PPAs, CfDs in preparation, and private investors. The main challenges remain in grid capacity limitations and skilled labour shortages. However, the momentum is strong — with over 15 GW in announced or planned PV and wind projects and a growing interest in hybridization and storage. Romania is not just catching up, but it’s becoming a regional hub for renewable infrastructure, and Parapet, as an EPC provider, is well-positioned to help build that future.
What challenges are developers and EPCs facing right now in Romania?
One of the most pressing challenges remains grid connection. Infrastructure upgrades have not kept pace with the volume of renewable projects in the pipeline. In parallel, a lack of skilled labour across certain construction and engineering areas affects project timelines. The rapid growth of the sector requires specialists in engineering, construction, and operations, and authorities must support the training of technicians, engineers, machinery operators, and project managers through educational programs and partnerships with the industry. Without a well-prepared workforce, equipped through learning programs truly tailored to market needs, the pace of renewable energy development will suffer.
Let me give you a concrete example: we have tractor drivers and auto mechanics who are trained and certified in their fields. However, we lack qualified machinery operators — and there are no training programs for such professions. We’re making significant investments in digitalizing the machinery used on our construction sites yet have difficulties in finding skilled personnel to operate them at their full potential. It’s hard to invest in high-performance technology if we don’t also adapt the training programs and the official occupational classifications to reflect the new on-the-ground realities.
Another challenge is the lack of predictability from a fiscal perspective. For instance, the increase in VAT, higher excise duties, and a higher tax rate on dividends directly impact financial planning. These fiscal changes, introduced with very short notice, make it difficult to structure long-term projects or maintain a stable cost base — especially in a sector like renewables, where most projects are capital-intensive and depend on stable return forecasts.
Are regulatory or grid limitations slowing down green energy expansion?
Both play a significant role – while Romania has made progress aligning with European targets, the legal and regulatory framework is missing long-term predictability. Grid congestion in high-resource areas continues to be bottleneck. For example, solar and wind projects in Southern and Southeastern Romania often face long delays despite high potential. Clearer frameworks around capacity allocation, hybrid project classification would significantly unlock investment and speed up implementation.
What kind of partnerships or innovations are you exploring to stay competitive?
At Parapet, we are expanding our internal capabilities to offer more integrated services — from mechanical and electrical works to light EPC and full EPC. We’re investing in digital tools for project tracking, fleet and equipment management, and automating field operations such as topography and structural verification.
In terms of partnerships, we work closely with technology providers for next-gen mounting systems, energy storage solutions, and digital design tools. Our recent international projects, particularly in Italy, are examples of how local knowledge, combined with standardized processes, can lead to faster, more cost-effective execution.
How important is international expansion versus consolidating your presence in Romania?
Romania remains our home market, and we’re deeply committed to supporting the national energy transition — with over 350 MW under construction in 2025 alone. However, international expansion is critical to our long-term growth and resilience. By entering markets like Italy and Germany and being closer to our strategic partners, we’re not only diversifying our pipeline but also applying best practices and scaling up our technical and operational teams. Our recent branch opening in Italy and the first light EPC contracts signed there mark a strategic move to become a regional EPC player.
In Germany, our branch marks 3 years of continuous activity. We are proud to be among the few Romanian EPC companies that have successfully entered the German market while maintaining full Romanian ownership and capital. Parapet GmbH’s portfolio currently includes 44 photovoltaic projects, totalling around 250 MWp of installed capacity, spanning civil and mechanical works, Agri-PV installations, and repowering initiatives. In 2025 alone, our ongoing projects exceed 115 MWp in installed solar capacity. Looking ahead, we are preparing to expand into energy storage, with several new BESS developments on the horizon.
What’s your vision for Parapet’s role in Romania’s energy transition over the next decade?
From a macro perspective, Romania holds significant potential in both solar and wind energy. The country benefits from favourable natural conditions and growing investor interest. However, unlocking this potential at scale depends on two critical factors: the establishment of a predictable and stable fiscal and regulatory framework, and the modernization of energy infrastructure, especially transmission and distribution networks. If these structural elements are addressed, we believe that Romania will experience not just a temporary surge, but a sustained decade-long wave of investment in renewable energy projects — from utility-scale solar and wind to hybrid and storage-based solutions.
From Parapet’s perspective, our ambition is to remain at the forefront of this transformation. We are focused on scaling up utility-scale solar PV, onshore wind, and battery energy storage systems (BESS), offering both core EPC services and integrated solutions. Beyond infrastructure, our commitment extends to local value creation: we’ll continue to invest in workforce training, support job creation in engineering and construction, and prioritize digitalization across our operations.
