Over the last twelve months, from November 2024 to October 2025, Romania's electricity consumption landscape shows a strong reliance on low-carbon, or clean, energy sources. Over two-thirds, or approximately 68%, of the electricity consumption comes from low-carbon sources, marking Romania as a leader in clean energy adoption. This includes hydropower, which contributes around 23%, and nuclear energy, showing a significant share of almost 20%. Wind and solar contribute notable shares as well, at about 12% and 11.5% respectively. Fossil energy sources, despite their historical significance, account for a little under 30% of the electricity consumption, with gas and coal being the primary contributors. Gas represents close to 17%, while coal accounts for about 12%. The data reflects a promising inclination towards sustainable energy, although fossil fuels still have a substantial footing. Net imports remain under 3%, highlighting Romania's relative self-sufficiency in electricity production.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, ENTSOE, Eurostat and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Romania?
Romania's current electricity usage per person reveals a somewhat declining trend when compared to historic records. The 2025 figures show that electricity consumption stands at approximately 2568 kWh per person, which is a notable decrease of 919 kWh from the peak recorded in 1989. Furthermore, the generation of electricity from low-carbon sources is at 1745 kWh per person, showcasing a reduction from the 2023 record of 1976 kWh per person. This is a decline of 231 kWh, indicating a need for resurgence in sustainable electricity generation. The decrease in overall electricity consumption suggests a potential stagnation that could be concerning, particularly given the important roles of electrification and AI in future economic growth and the need for clean electricity to combat climate issues.
Suggestions
To enhance its low-carbon electricity generation, Romania should look to expand its nuclear, wind, and solar infrastructure, capitalizing on these proven and effective technologies. Expanding nuclear energy could be inspired by countries like France and Slovakia, where nuclear contributes significantly, at 69% and 67% respectively. For wind energy, countries like Denmark and states like Iowa and South Dakota, with contributions of 49%, 60%, and 57% respectively, serve as exemplary models Romania could emulate. Expanding solar energy is equally crucial, given its clean nature and growing efficiency; learning from regions like Lebanon and Nevada, where solar contributes around 31% and 30% respectively, could be particularly beneficial. By drawing lessons from these successful regions, Romania can strengthen its commitment to clean energy and reduce its dependency on fossil fuels, enhancing overall energy security and environmental sustainability.
History
Historically, Romania's journey in low-carbon electricity has exhibited fluctuations, particularly in hydroelectric power and nuclear energy. In the early 1990s, there were notable changes in hydropower output, with significant increases in 1991 and 1995, and declines in 1992 and 2000. The late 1990s saw a significant boost to nuclear energy, with a substantial increase in 1997. During the early 2000s, hydroelectric generation saw a mix of ups and downs, while nuclear energy received a notable augmentation in 2008. Throughout the 2010s and into the early 2020s, hydropower continued to fluctuate, witnessing both periods of growth and decline, most prominently in 2011 and 2022, which cautions against over-reliance on any single energy source. However, nuclear energy has been a stable and growing component of Romania's electricity mix. The need to diversify and expand clean energy sources remains imperative to support Romania's energy transition and sustainability goals going forward.
