In 2025, Romania's electricity consumption shows a predominantly low-carbon profile. Over 60% of the country's electricity comes from clean energy sources. Nuclear power contributes almost a fifth of the total, while hydropower accounts for close to a quarter. Wind and solar also play significant roles, generating about 11% and 5% respectively. Meanwhile, fossil fuels, which are less environmentally friendly, make up roughly 31% of Romania’s electricity, with natural gas and coal comprising about 19% and 13%, respectively. Additionally, net imports contribute slightly less than 8% to the energy mix, indicating some reliance on external sources but not a dependence.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, ENTSOE, Eurostat and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Romania?
Despite the seemingly clean energy mix, electricity consumption in Romania has experienced a decline. The current annual consumption per person stands at 2,720 kWh, which is a substantial decrease from the 1989 record of 3,487 kWh per person. Moreover, low-carbon electricity has also seen a drop, with the latest measurements indicating 1,655 kWh per person—a decrease from the peak recorded in 2023 of 1,976 kWh per person. This downward trend is concerning, as it points towards decreased energy production from clean sources when the global need for sustainable energy is growing, driven by electrification trends and AI technology demands.
Suggestions
To boost low-carbon electricity generation, Romania should focus on expanding both its nuclear and wind capacities. Countries like France and Slovakia, where nuclear power provides more than half of the electricity, offer a strong example of how expanding nuclear energy can significantly enhance clean energy output. Similarly, successful adoption of wind energy, as seen in regions like Iowa and Denmark, which generate over half of their electricity from wind, can serve as a model for Romania's further wind energy development. Additionally, enhancing solar power, learning from countries like Nevada and Lebanon, can further diversify and strengthen Romania’s clean electricity generation to meet future demand efficiently.
History
Looking back, Romania's journey in low-carbon electricity generation has seen notable developments. In the early 1990s, hydropower experienced fluctuations, with both ups and downs in generation. In the mid to late 1990s, nuclear energy made significant strides, notably with a 4 TWh increase in 1997. The early 2000s saw continued hydropower volatility with positive and negative changes. More recently, from the 2010s into the 2020s, hydropower saw several peaks and troughs, with a notable increase in 2023. However, these inconsistent hydropower changes, coupled with lesser growth in nuclear electricity earlier on, underscore the urgent need for strategic and stable investment in low-carbon technologies to ensure consistent growth and to sustain Romania's energy needs responsibly.
