Swiss energy company Axpo has signed a seven-year direct electricity purchase contract (PPA) with Czech utility CEZ for Romania’s largest onshore wind project.

Axpo will take over 50% coverage of the three wind farms with a combined installed capacity of 600 MW, which is the company’s largest contract in Eastern Europe, according to a statement. Romania lifted the ban on power purchase contracts last year.

The project is currently owned by Macquarie Asset Management, which finalized the acquisition of CEZ’s Romanian business in March.
“As the first [PPA] of its kind in Romania, it is a positive signal for the local renewable energy market,” said Ondrej Safar, CEO of CEZ Romania.