Over the past 12 months, from August 2024 to July 2025, Romania has experienced a diverse pattern in electricity consumption. Low-carbon, also known as clean energy, dominates the electricity mix with more than 62% attributed to sources such as hydropower, which alone represents almost a quarter of the total, and nuclear energy contributing around 21%. Wind and solar energies are also significant, with wind accounting for nearly 12% and solar for about 5%. On the other side, fossil energy plays a substantial role, making up approximately 33% of the total, with gas and coal contributing 19% and 14% respectively. Net imports account for a small fraction, just under 5%. This mix highlights Romania's current reliance on both low-carbon and fossil energy sources to meet its electricity demands.
Is Electricity Growing in Romania?
Despite reliance on low carbon sources, Romania's electricity consumption has not grown; it has actually seen a significant decline from its highest point. In 2025, the total electric consumption per person in Romania is 2617 kWh, which is a substantial drop of 1039 kWh compared to the peak levels recorded in 1989. The generation from low-carbon sources is also lower than previous records, with the latest numbers showing 1634 kWh per person, down from 2069 kWh per person in 2023, marking a decrease of 435 kWh. This downward trend in electricity consumption and clean energy generation is concerning, especially in a world where electrification is pivotal for economic growth and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Suggestions
To reverse these trends and boost clean electricity generation, Romania should focus on expanding its nuclear and wind capacities, given their already notable contributions to the energy mix. Countries like Slovakia and France showcase that nuclear energy can make up over 60% of electricity generation, setting an impressive benchmark. Furthermore, regions like Iowa and South Dakota have successfully leveraged wind energy to supply more than 60% of their electricity needs. Romania could benefit from their models, learning how to effectively integrate and maximize wind and nuclear generation. Simultaneously, the growth of solar energy should not be underestimated, as countries such as Lebanon and Greece have succeeded in harnessing close to 30% of their electricity from solar, which could greatly enhance Romania's clean energy portfolio.
History
Historically, the development of low-carbon electricity in Romania has been marked by fluctuation, particularly in hydropower and nuclear energy development. The late 1980s and early 1990s witnessed significant growth in hydroelectric capacity, with remarkable increases in 1988 and 1991. However, the early 2000s saw periods of decline, with notable regressions in 2000 and 2003. Nuclear capacity was bolstered notably in the late 1990s and early 2000s, with strong growth in 1997 and 2008. Nonetheless, recent years reflect fluctuations that necessitate a stronger push toward stability and consistent growth in clean electricity development to ensure that Romania can meet its future energy needs sustainably.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.