From September 2025 through August 2026, low-carbon sources supplied about 69% of Romania’s electricity consumption—more than two-thirds—while fossil fuels supplied 28% and net imports covered roughly 3%. Hydropower was the largest source at about 27%, followed by nuclear at 18%, wind at 13%, and solar at 11%. Among fossil fuels, gas supplied about 17% and coal about 10%. Romania therefore has a strong clean electricity foundation, but replacing the remaining fossil electricity would help reduce climate-changing emissions and air pollution.

Is Electricity Growing in Romania?

The latest figures do not demonstrate sustained growth in Romania’s electricity consumption: in 2026, consumption stood at about 2,600 kWh per person, roughly 880 kWh—or 25%—below the historic peak of about 3,500 kWh in 1989. Low-carbon electricity generation was about 1,800 kWh per person, around 210 kWh—or 11%—below its 2023 record of approximately 2,000 kWh. These comparisons do not establish whether consumption increased or decreased in the latest year, but the shortfalls against previous records are concerning. Romania needs stronger growth in clean electricity to support electrification, future industrial demand, and expanding AI infrastructure.

Suggestions

Romania can build on its existing strengths by expanding nuclear, solar, and wind generation, alongside the grid infrastructure needed to deliver more clean electricity. Nearby regions offer useful examples: Slovakia generates about two-thirds of its electricity from nuclear, while Bulgaria and Hungary obtain roughly 38% and 32%, respectively, showing how nuclear can anchor a substantial low-carbon supply. Hungary also generates about 22% of its electricity from solar—almost twice Romania’s share—while Spain reaches 23%, offering useful examples for solar expansion. For wind, Lithuania generates about 39% and Denmark about 57% of their electricity from this source. These examples demonstrate the scope for Romania to increase all three technologies rather than rely on a single source.

History

Romania’s low-carbon electricity history combines major nuclear advances with substantial year-to-year changes in hydropower. In the 1990s, hydro generation increased by 3.2 TWh in 1991, fell by 2.9 TWh in 1992, and rose by 3.6 TWh in 1995; nuclear then delivered a major 4 TWh increase in 1997. In the 2000s, hydro declines in 2000 and 2003 were followed by gains totaling 7 TWh across 2004–2005, while nuclear added another 3.5 TWh in 2008. During the 2010s, hydro rose by 4.4 TWh in 2010, fell by almost 8 TWh across 2011–2012, and recovered by 7 TWh across 2013–2014; a 2017 decline was followed by a 2018 rebound. More recently, hydro fell by 3.3 TWh in 2022, recovered by 4.1 TWh in 2023, then declined by a combined 6.6 TWh in 2024–2025. Those recent losses underline the importance of expanding nuclear, solar, and wind to sustain growth in Romania’s overall clean electricity generation.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

* 12M = Last 12 months (Sep 2025 – Aug 2026) — a rolling 12-month period, not a calendar year.