The 2026 Energy Awards Gala, now in its 15th edition, once again brought together Romania’s leading energy sector stakeholders for an evening of celebration and recognition. Organized by The Diplomat-Bucharest, the prestigious event celebrated the most impactful achievements and visionary leaders advancing innovation, sustainability, and progress in the industry.
Hosted at the elegant InterContinental Athénée Palace Bucharest, the gala provided a prominent platform to highlight best practices, strategic foresight, and outstanding performance across multiple categories. As The Diplomat-Bucharest’s flagship event, the Energy Awards Gala has become a benchmark for excellence, honouring the companies and individuals shaping the future of energy in Romania.
Its continued success underscores the sector’s resilience, adaptability, and growing ambition to meet both national and international energy objectives. This year’s award recipients embody the spirit of innovation and commitment driving the industry forward.
This special event would not have been possible without the support of our exceptional partners, to whom we extend our deepest gratitude:
Gold Partners: Distributie Oltenia, ENEVO Group, Hidroelectrica, Eurowind Energy, Hagag Energy, Distributie Energie Electrica Romania, Adrem, E.ON, Forvis Mazars, Parapet, Transelectrica;
Partners: Tinmar Energy, BMF, INFORM, Waldevar, Eximprod, Exim Banca Romaneasca, Romgaz, Rezolv Energy, FPE, E-INFRA
Supporting Partners: BRCC, HENRO, CNR-CME, ANIS, Concordia, AHK Romania, Asociatia Energia Inteligenta, Lovering & Partners, ROFMA, EPG.
Media Partners: Outsourcing Today, Automotive Today, Sustainability Today, Economistul, Romania Durabila, Bursa, Club Economic, Financial Intelligence, InvestEnergy.
Romania’s energy champions were decided by the esteemed jury committee, comprised of top professionals from various business sectors:
Dan Virgil Pascu, Vice-President, Competition Council
Pavel-Casian Nițulescu, State Secretary, Ministry of Energy
Valeriu Binig, Chairman of the Board of Administration, Eximprod Engineering SA
Daniela Daraban, Executive Director, ACUE
Radu Dudau, Director, Energy Policy Group
Silvia Vlasceanu, Executive Director, HENRO
Cristina Dumitru, Consultant GreenTech & Tax and Legal, Secretariat of the Arbitration Court Consulting & Services, AHK Romania
Daniel Apostol, General Director, The Energy Employers’ Federation FPE
Irene Mihai, Policy Director, RPIA
A special thank you to our jury members for supporting this iconic event organized by The Diplomat-Bucharest!
And now it’s time to reveal the list of winners at the 2026 Energy Awards Gala:
CROSS-SECTOR PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
In this category, the award is presented for signing the largest contract in the company’s history – the implementation of 1.1 million smart meters – a strategic project that accelerates the digitalization of Romania’s energy infrastructure, increases transparency and service efficiency for consumers, and strengthens the company’s commitment to modernizing distribution networks and supporting national and European energy transition objectives.
The award was presented to Distribuție Energie Electrică Romania.
CUSTOMER-CENTRIC ENERGY COMPANY OF THE YEAR
In this category, we recognize a company for launching the platform proactivcuenergia.ro and the educational AI assistant Voltin, innovative initiatives that support the energy transition by informing and empowering consumers and prosumers, promoting sustainable consumption, service digitalization, and a better understanding of each user’s role in maintaining the balance and stability of the electricity network.
This award was presented to Distribuție Oltenia.
ENERGY COMPANY OF THE YEAR
In this category, we honor a company for its outstanding performance in 2025, a year in which, despite the most difficult hydrological conditions in recent history, it achieved the largest investment volume in the company’s history, accelerating infrastructure modernization and the development of new generation capacities, while maintaining strong financial results and reinforcing its position as a leader in renewable energy and Romania’s energy security.
The award was presented to Hidroelectrica.
ENERGY TRANSITION AWARD
The company awarded in this category distinguished itself through a strategic investment in the first major sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel (HVO) production unit in Southeast Europe, a project that accelerates the energy transition, contributes significantly to reducing carbon emissions, and strengthens the company’s position as a regional leader in innovation, sustainable mobility, and responsible development.
The award was presented to OMV Petrom.
GREEN MOBILITY AWARD
This category recognizes a company for inaugurating the first ultra-fast HYC1000 charging station for electric vehicles in Eastern Europe, an innovative project that sets a new performance standard for Romania’s e-mobility infrastructure and contributes significantly to accelerating the transition toward sustainable and digitalized transportation.
The award was presented to Eldrive Romania.
ENERGY INNOVATION AWARD
The winning company in this category is recognized for developing the innovative ALO (Operational Limitation Automation) system, an advanced automation and protection solution for electrical networks that supports the safe integration of new renewable energy capacities, increases the stability of the energy infrastructure, and strengthens operational security through intelligent monitoring and modern cybersecurity technologies.
The award was presented to ENEVO Group.
OIL AND GAS COMPANY OF THE YEAR
The company awarded in this category stood out through its strong financial performance in 2025, reflected in increased consolidated net profit and the strengthening of its natural gas production, supply, and storage activities, demonstrating operational resilience, financial efficiency, and an essential strategic role in ensuring Romania’s energy security.
The award was presented to Romgaz.
RENEWABLE ENERGY AWARD
This category recognizes a company for its remarkable contribution to the development of renewable energy in Romania through major investments in photovoltaic, wind, and energy storage projects, the implementation of state-of-the-art technologies, and the strengthening of sustainable energy infrastructure, while also supporting local communities and accelerating the transition toward a green and resilient energy system.
The award was presented to Eurowind Energy Romania.
SUSTAINABILITY CHAMPION OF THE YEAR
This category recognizes a company for launching the Ogrezeni hybrid project, one of the largest renewable energy projects in Europe, which combines photovoltaic generation with battery storage and contributes significantly to energy security, economic decarbonization, and Romania’s sustainable development through major investments, local partnerships, and the creation of long-term value for communities and the national energy infrastructure.
The award was presented to Enery.
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FINANCING AWARD
In this category, we recognize a company for carrying out the largest corporate green bond issuance on the Romanian capital market, a strategic financing initiative worth €500 million dedicated to the development of renewable energy and storage projects, strengthening the company’s role in accelerating the energy transition, modernizing infrastructure, and supporting a sustainable and inclusive energy future.
This award was presented to Electrica.
ENERGY MANAGER OF THE YEAR
This category’s award is presented to a leader in Romania’s energy industry under whose leadership the company distinguished itself through strong financial performance in 2025, characterized by increased consolidated net profit, the maintenance of a robust natural gas production and supply base, and the optimization of storage activities, demonstrating operational resilience and an essential role in ensuring Romania’s energy security and market stability.
The award was presented to Mr. Răzvan Popescu, CEO of Romgaz.
DEAL OF THE YEAR
The company awarded in this category distinguished itself through signing the strategic acquisition agreement for Distribuție Energie Oltenia, a transformative step in consolidating an integrated model of energy production, distribution, and supply, through which the company significantly expands its infrastructure and operational capacity and strengthens its position as a regional leader in the energy transition and the modernization of Romania’s energy system.
This award was presented to Premier Energy.
DIGITAL INNOVATION AWARD
In this category, we recognize a company for developing the advanced EMS200 energy management system, an integrated control and coordination platform for hybrid renewable power plants, which optimizes in real time the integration of photovoltaic, wind, and storage systems, increasing grid stability, operational compliance, and the commercial efficiency of energy assets.
This award was presented to Eximprod GRUP.
ENERGY CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AWARD
In this category, we recognize a company for supporting the continuity of critical medical services through the donation of a high-capacity generator to Fundeni Clinical Hospital, thus contributing to the resilience of energy infrastructure in the healthcare sector and ensuring uninterrupted electricity supply for vital equipment and patient safety during emergency situations.
The award was presented to Rețele Electrice România.
ENERGY EDUCATION INITIATIVE AWARD
In this category, we recognize a company for expanding the Skills Academy program, an educational initiative dedicated to professional training in the renewable energy sector, through which it provides broader access to accredited photovoltaic installation courses and GWO certifications for the wind industry, thereby contributing to the development of a green workforce and supporting the energy transition in Romania and the region.
This award was presented to Rezolv Energy.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAM OF THE YEAR
In this category, we recognize a company for implementing the REDFlex pilot project, an innovative energy flexibility initiative that transforms consumers and producers into active participants in the energy system, contributing to grid stability, more efficient integration of renewable energy, and infrastructure cost optimization through a modern, sustainable, and participatory model of operating the electricity network.
This award was presented to Delgaz Grid.
ENERGY PARTNERSHIP OF THE YEAR
In this category, we recognize a partnership created for signing a strategic cooperation memorandum regarding the delivery and integration of 1,070 MWh of energy storage systems, a partnership that accelerates the development of industrial-scale battery infrastructure, increases the flexibility of the electricity grid, and supports the energy transition through advanced European technologies, local manufacturing, and dedicated training programs for the future professions of the energy sector.
This award was presented to the partnership between Monsson and Prime Batteries.
ENERGY STORAGE PROJECT AWARD
This category’s award is presented for the implementation of the BESS Florești project, one of the most important private investments in Romania’s energy flexibility infrastructure, which through a large-scale 200 MW / 400 MWh storage system makes a decisive contribution to balancing the electricity grid, integrating renewable energy, and strengthening national energy security.
In this category, the award was presented to Nova Power & Gas and Electrogrup.
OIL AND GAS PROJECT OF THE YEAR
This award is presented to a company for discovering the new natural gas field at Spineni, an exploration project that confirms the commercial potential of Romania’s onshore resources and strengthens the company’s investment strategy in exploration and production, contributing to energy security and the continued development of domestic natural gas resources.
This category’s award was presented to OMV Petrom.
RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECT AWARD
This category’s award is presented for launching the Ogrezeni photovoltaic project and for developing an extensive portfolio of renewable energy and storage infrastructure, strengthening the company’s position as a leading EPC contractor in Central and Eastern Europe through the delivery of large-scale complex projects, the integration of advanced technologies, and the acceleration of the energy transition through innovative solutions and continuously expanding industrial capabilities.
This award was presented to ENERY and ENEVO Group.
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY INVESTMENT AWARD
This category’s award is presented for the development of the largest energy storage facility in Romania, a strategic 200 MW / 400 MWh project that contributes decisively to balancing the electricity grid, integrating renewable sources, and strengthening national energy security through a modern model of flexible and scalable energy infrastructure.
This award was presented to Nova Power & Gas and Electrogrup for the BESS Florești project.
BRAND OF THE YEAR
In the “Brand of the Year in Energy” category, the company was selected through online voting in recognition of its leadership position in the renewable energy sector in Romania and Southeast Europe. Founded in 1997 and dedicated exclusively to green energy since 2004, the company has distinguished itself through a portfolio of over 7 GW under development and more than 1.1 GW of projects already built, including wind farms, photovoltaic parks, storage solutions, and green hydrogen. Through its integrated divisions — from project development and the operation of over 1,000 MW, to energy trading and specialist training through RESS — Monsson has become a benchmark for the energy transition, supported by major investments and an increasingly extensive international presence.
Brand of the Year in Energy is Monsson.
STRATEGIC ENERGY MARKET ENTRY AWARD
In this category, we recognize a company that confirms its emerging position in Romania’s energy infrastructure sector. The company has rapidly strengthened its presence on the local market through the development and operation of natural gas distribution networks. With a portfolio of over 74 concession areas and nationwide coverage across 99 localities in 18 counties, 71 natural gas distribution networks at various stages of development, 3 networks already completed and operational, and an accelerated expansion program targeting the commissioning of dozens of new networks over the next two years, the company is establishing itself as a strategic player in the modernization of energy infrastructure and the sustainable diversification of Romania’s energy sector.
This award was presented to Hagag Energy.
INNOVATION IN HYDROPOWER & SOLAR INTEGRATION
This award is presented to a partnership that will lead to the implementation of the Nufărul pilot project, the largest of its kind in the European Union, representing a functional and efficient integration between hydropower and photovoltaic energy. This investment marks a premiere for the energy sector, being the first floating photovoltaic panel system project implemented by Romania’s largest green energy producer. The contract value is approximately 40 million RON (excluding VAT), and the investment will help improve resource efficiency and diversify the beneficiary’s portfolio.
The award was presented to Hidroelectrica and Waldevar Energy.