PLx 255/2025: New facilities for green energy projects in Romania – Simplified authorization and expanded land use in Romania

Law supporting green investments in Romania: Building permits without PUZ and larger plots for solar and wind farms

The legislative project PLx 255/2025 introduces substantial amendments to the current legislation, aiming to accelerate and simplify the procedures for developing electricity production capacities from renewable energy, such as solar energy and wind energy. The main changes introduced to Law no. 350/2001 (on urban planning) and Law no. 50/1991 (on construction authorization) establish a derogatory regime from urban planning rules, allowing developers to obtain a building permit for a solar panel project or a photovoltaic park without the need for approved urban planning documentation (PUG/PUZ). Moreover, the amendments to the Land Fund Law no. 18/1991 clarify the legal status of transformer stations and electricity storage capacities, considering them an integral part of renewable energy infrastructure. These clarifications contribute to eliminating bureaucratic barriers that have hindered the development of photovoltaic panel projects and green infrastructure in recent years. This article analyzes the new provisions that simplify the authorization process, clarify the legal regime of investments in renewable energy, and assess their impact on the development of green projects.

The Romanian Law Firm Pavel Mărgărit and Associates, internationally recognized for its extensive experience in energy law, commercial law lawyer expertise, M&A transactions, and administrative litigation, recommends consulting an investment lawyer, green energy lawyer and renewable energy lawyer who can provide specialized legal advice regarding the green transition, the legal structuring of a solar panel projects, a photovoltaic panel project and complex due diligence procedures. A specialized team formed by an administrative law lawyer, a due diligence lawyer, and a commercial law lawyer from our energy attorney in Romania practice can provide legal assistance in obtaining all necessary approvals and legal compliance for the implementation of photovoltaic park projects and the drafting of an EPC contract or PPA contract.

Investment lawyer. Issuing Construction Permits without PUZ/PUG Approval in Romania – Simplified Administrative Procedures for Renewable Energy Projects

One of the most significant amendments introduced by the legislative project concerns Law no. 350/2001, through the addition of Article 311 paragraph (12), which establishes a major exception regime for developers of solar panel projects and photovoltaic parks. According to the new provisions, the right to build capacities for electricity production from renewable energy (including solar energy, wind energy, and hydrogen) may be granted, as an exception, even in the absence of approved territorial or urban documentation (PUG/PUZ). A General Urban Plan (PUG) sets general development rules and indicators for the entire locality, while a Zonal Urban Plan (PUZ) details these rules for a specific area or project, typically required for obtaining construction permits. This exceptional regime, which also applies to related infrastructure, represents a major procedural simplification because it removes a key bureaucratic obstacle and significantly reduces the time needed to start a solar panel project or photovoltaic park. Prior to these clarifications, obtaining construction rights was often blocked by the absence or outdated nature of local PUGs. This measure directly aims to accelerate the development of renewable energy capacities and facilitate access to non-reimbursable funding for solar energy and wind energy investments.

An investment lawyer or renewable energy lawyer in Romania can provide specialized legal assistance to guide investors through the necessary steps to quickly obtain ANRE authorization, an ANRE license, and ensure that any photovoltaic park complies with the new legal framework. The Romanian Law Firm Pavel, Mărgărit & Associates, a green energy lawyer and an energy attorney in Romania specialized in renewable energy, can provide professional assistance in negotiating and drafting an EPC contract, securing non-reimbursable funds, and performing comprehensive due diligence for solar panel projects. Collaboration with a real estate attorney, a commercial law lawyer, and an administrative law lawyer ensures full compliance with Romanian and EU energy law requirements and supports investors in achieving a successful green transition.

Real estate attorney. Expansion of the Agricultural Land Area Available for Green Energy Projects  in Romania – From 50 ha to 100 ha

Another long-awaited amendment by developers, although not explicitly stated in the project, is part of the broader legislative package for simplification and concerns increasing the maximum threshold of agricultural land outside built-up areas that can be removed from the agricultural circuit. The initial limit of 50 hectares, set by Law no. 254/2022, introduced an exception to the Land Fund Law no. 18/1991, allowing the placement of investment facilities for electricity production from renewable energy sources on agricultural land located outside built-up areas, but only up to a maximum of 50 ha. During legislative debates, the Draft Law 255/2025 was amended to include a specific provision in the Land Fund Law eliminating the old 50-ha limit and increasing the maximum usable land area to 100 ha.

Thus, the extension from 50 ha to 100 ha of agricultural land available for photovoltaic park development facilitates large-scale investment and the legal framework for solar panel projects. Furthermore, the amendments to Article 92 of the Land Fund Law clarify that land affected by transformer stations and other auxiliary systems necessary for producing solar energy is no longer considered agricultural, even if located outside built-up areas. This clarification provides additional legal certainty in the process of land sale and destination conversion required for any photovoltaic panel project.

Consulting a real estate attorney and an administrative law lawyer is essential to manage risks associated with land acquisition or sale and to ensure rigorous compliance with property and land-use regulations. A due diligence lawyer, an energy attorney in Romania, an investment lawyer specialized in renewable energy in Romania can assist developers in the process of land sale, transaction compliance, due diligence analysis, and in drafting an EPC contract or PPA contract for a photovoltaic park. The Romanian Law Firm Pavel Mărgărit and Associates provides specialized legal consultancy through a team of renewable energy lawyer, wind energy lawyer, real estate attorney, and commercial law lawyer, ensuring that every solar panel project and green transition initiative adheres fully to Romanian legal standards.

Renewable energy lawyer. Inclusion of Energy Storage Units, Transformer Stations, and Related Infrastructure in Renewable Energy Legislation in Romania

The draft law finally clarifies the legal status of the essential components of any modern solar panel project, such as electricity storage capacities, transformer stations, inverters, and connection cables, by amending Article 2 paragraph (4) letter f) and Article 111 letter i) of Law no. 50/1991 on the authorization of construction works. Previously, the lack of clarity in the legislation regarding these auxiliary structures generated major procedural uncertainties for developers of renewable energy projects. According to the amendments brought to Law no. 50/1991, the construction works for storage capacities—whether connected exclusively to the electricity grid or added to a solar energy or wind energy production capacity—do not require ANRE authorization and are treated as public utility works, which significantly simplifies the ANRE authorization process. This formal recognition under the supervision of ANRE is essential, as energy storage plays a vital role in the stable operation of the grid and in the efficient integration of electricity from renewable energy sources.

An green energy lawyer or an energy law attorney can provide specialized legal advice to ensure that a green energy project, solar park project, or solar panel project complies with environmental requirements and ANRE regulations, including those regarding the trading of green certificates. An energy law firm, a law firm specialized in green energy, can assist developers in obtaining ANRE licenses, performing legal due diligence, maximizing the value of green certificates, and accessing non-reimbursable funds while complying with all ANRE regulations. An attorney specialized in solar and wind energy lawyer, together with a commercial law attorney, and a real estate law attorney, can ensure comprehensive legal assistance throughout the authorization, construction, and operational phases of renewable energy investments.

Due diligence lawyer. Special Legal Regime in the Danube Delta in Romania – Support for Local Self-Consumption and Ban on Industrial Parks in the Biosphere Reserve

The legislative project gives special attention to protected areas such as the Danube Delta, establishing a differentiated legal regime to protect the natural heritage while promoting the use of renewable energy for local consumption needs. In the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve, the new regulations support solar energy and wind energy projects intended for self-consumption (off-grid or limited injection systems) and prohibit the development of large-scale projects or industrial parks to prevent ecosystem degradation. While local communities are encouraged to use non-reimbursable funds for the development of small-scale solar panel projects, developers targeting large extravilan areas nearby must comply with strict environmental and urban planning standards.

“The new measures simplifying the construction of renewable energy capacities must be approached with particular legal prudence to avoid administrative blockages, non-compliance with legislative provisions, and significant financial losses,” stated Radu Pavel, Managing Partener of the Romanian Law Firm Pavel, Mărgărit & Associates.

In conclusion, the legislative package PLx 255/2025 marks a significant step in the development of the renewable energy sector in Romania, by eliminating bureaucratic barriers such as the need for PUG/PUZ for solar park projects or solar panel projects, and by clarifying the legal status of essential infrastructure such as electricity storage facilities and transformer stations. These legislative changes facilitate the attraction of investments in solar energy and wind energy, support the acquisition of green certificates, and strengthen legal certainty for investors. Therefore, the Romanian Law Firm Pavel, Mărgărit & Associates recommends seeking assistance from an experienced energy attorney, commercial law attorney, and administrative law attorney, capable of providing specialized legal advice regarding ANRE authorizations and the prompt acquisition of ANRE licenses for the development of renewable energy projects in Romania.

Pavel, Margarit and Associates Law Firm is one of the top law firms in Romania, providing high-quality legal services. The firm’s clients include multinational and domestic companies of great magnitude. In 2025, the law firm’s success stories brought it international recognition from the most prestigious international guides and publications in the field. As a result, Pavel, Margarit and Associates Law Firm ranked 3rd in Romania in the Legal 500’s ranking of business law firms with the most relevant expertise. The law firm is internationally recognized by the IFLR 1000 Financial and Corporate 2025 guide. Additionally, Pavel, Margarit and Associates Law Firm is the only law firm in Romania recommended by the international director of Global Law Experts in London in the Dispute Resolution practice area. All relevant information about Pavel, Margarit and Associates Law Firm can be found on the website www.avocatpavel.com.