Contract signed for the Nufărul Project, the largest photovoltaic floating system installed on a hydroelectric dam in Europe
Following an open tender process, Hidroelectrica has awarded WALDEVAR Energy the contract for the Nufărul Project – a pioneering renewable energy initiative that will become the largest floating photovoltaic park ever deployed on a hydroelectric dam in Europe. The project will be implemented on the Ipotești Dam, located on the Olt River, one of Romania’s key hydropower corridors.
WALDEVAR Energy marks a defining moment in its journey as an integrator of complex renewable energy solutions.
This contract, valued at 39,250,000 RON (excluding VAT), reaffirms our role as a reliable partner for delivering EPC solutions – from technical concept and design to procurement, construction, commissioning, and integration into the national grid.
Implementation timeline: 14 months
• 4 months – technical design
• 10 months – construction and commissioning
🔧 WALDEVAR Energy will deliver a full turnkey execution, including:
• Engineering and detailed design
• Procurement of high-efficiency equipment
• Installation adapted to aquatic conditions:
◦ Bifacial PV modules with high humidity resistance
◦ Modular floating structures made of HDPE or other innovative sustainable materials
◦ Adaptive anchoring systems to respond to water level fluctuations
◦ Optimized electrical configuration
◦ 100 kW inverters and low-loss cabling system
◦ Integration with the national transmission grid
◦ Automation and advanced real-time monitoring
“This is Hidroelectrica’s first floating photovoltaic system project and marks a success in our efforts to expand innovation and diversify our production portfolio. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the team members who contributed to the development of this project and wish them every success in the implementation phase,” stated Kàroly Borbély, CEO of Hidroelectrica.
“The Nufărul pilot project – the largest of its kind in the European Union – represents a functional and efficient integration between hydropower and photovoltaic energy. It is a concrete first step toward unlocking the significant solar potential of Romania’s hydropower basins. WALDEVAR Energy will implement this visionary initiative promoted by Hidroelectrica, using the most advanced technologies available and once again confirming its capabilities in innovation and leadership in the photovoltaic sector,” said Alessandro Amato, CEO of WALDEVAR Floating PV Systems.
With an installed capacity of 10 MW and an estimated annual output of 13.4 GWh, the system will play a key role in:
• Increasing Romania’s renewable energy production
• Expanding Hidroelectrica’s generation portfolio
• Sustainable utilization of water surfaces
• Developing scalable solutions for other hydropower sites
• Enhancing the synergy between solar and hydro generation
Hidroelectrica is Romania’s leader in electricity production and the primary provider of essential technological services for the stability and operation of the National Energy System. The Nufărul Project is a landmark in Europe’s green transition and a bold step forward in sustainable energy innovation, confirming WALDEVAR Energy’s capacity to lead in delivering technically advanced, large-scale renewable infrastructure.