EBRD backs major expansion of landmark Vifor wind farm in Romania

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is strengthening its support for Romania’s green transition and energy security with a €44 million loan to help finance the expansion of the Vifor onshore wind farm. The funding is part of a broader €331 million financing package aimed at developing a 269 MW extension to the facility.

Once completed, the Vifor wind farm will become one of Romania’s largest, with a total installed capacity of 461 MW. The project builds on a previous €32 million EBRD loan granted in 2024 for the initial 192 MW phase, currently under construction and expected to be operational by early 2026.

The fully developed wind farm is projected to generate 1.2 terawatt hours (TWh) of electricity annually—enough to avoid more than 500,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions each year.

This expansion also marks a milestone for the EBRD as its first project supported under Romania’s newly introduced contract-for-difference (CfD) scheme. Designed with EBRD technical assistance, the CfD mechanism aims to spur the development of 5 GW of wind and solar power. The scheme's inaugural auction in December 2024 awarded 1.5 GW of renewable energy capacity, including a 240 MW CfD contract for the Vifor project.

Beyond its environmental impact, the wind farm will contribute to the domestic electricity market’s liquidity by selling a substantial portion of its output locally.

“We are proud to continue supporting the Vifor wind farm, one of the largest not only in Romania but in all of Eastern Europe,” said Victoria Zinchuk, EBRD Director for Romania. “This project will significantly boost renewable energy capacity and support Romania’s climate goals in line with the EU’s Fit for 55 and REPowerEU initiatives.”

Grzegorz Zielinski, EBRD Director and Head of Energy Europe, added: “This is our first project under Romania’s new CfD scheme, and it shows how targeted policy support and international expertise can unlock large-scale private investment—critical for building a greener, more resilient energy system.”

The Vifor project is being developed by Rezolv Energy, a renewable energy platform created by Actis, a global investor in sustainable infrastructure with US$15 billion in assets under management.

To date, the EBRD has invested nearly €12 billion in 569 projects across Romania. Supporting the green transition remains a key priority for the Bank in the country and across its broader region.