NEPI Rockcastle’s renewable energy output is expected to expand to cover 48% of the electricity demand of its shopping centres and tenants in Romania, the company’s largest market, by the end of 2026 – up from 6% at the end of 2024. CEE’s largest retail real estate company is deploying a new 54.1 MW greenfield solar power park in western Romania under a €110 million programme – the biggest green energy investment for a non-energy sector corporate across the region’s markets.
Construction of the solar park at Chișineu-Criș in Arad County began in January. Once connected to the grid in Q4 2025, it will represent around a third of NEPI Rockcastle’s 159 MW of total installed photovoltaic capacity in rooftop and ground-mounted PV systems across 28 properties and multiple greenfield developments.
One of the largest producers of photovoltaic panels, LONGi Solar, has delivered 84,000 of its ‘highly efficient Hi-MO 9 back contact (BC) modules to Chișineu-Criș. With 24.8% module efficiency and enhanced thermal performance, these next-generation panels are optimised for Romania’s continental climate and will ensure high-yield, low-maintenance, clean energy generation for decades to come.
Andrei Radu, Group Development Director at NEPI Rockcastle, said: “NEPI Rockcastle’s green energy programme is advancing through three major stages, reflecting our long-term commitment to sustainability and decarbonisation efforts. We’re investing €110 million in new photovoltaic projects, including solar panel installations across 23 properties in CEE and greenfield developments in Romania totalling 159 MW in capacity.
As part of this programme, we partnered with LONGi specifically for the Chișineu-Criș solar project, where their high-efficiency photovoltaic modules are helping us to deliver a flagship utility-scale development in Romania. This collaboration supports our strategic goal of enhancing the use of electricity from renewable sources and increasing the energy autonomy of our retail assets.”
Delivered through SOLPOWER Energy and engineered by EPC partner Enevo Group, the development represents Romania’s largest utility-scale solar power project dedicated to retail infrastructure.
This project in Chișineu-Criș is expected to generate around 70,171 MWh of clean electricity each year, which is enough to power approximately 29,300 Romanian homes and helping to avoid around 21,100 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually.
Mirel Jarnea, Country Manager Utility Scale Business Unit at LONGi, said: “This project exemplifies how BC technology transforms utility-scale solar into a reliable backbone for major infrastructure. Hi-MO 9’s unmatched performance ensures NEPI Rockcastle’s portfolio in Romania achieves energy stability.”
Eduard Meiloiu, Executive Director Renewables BU at ENEVO, said: “Our collaboration with LONGi has been seamless from start to finish, reflecting a truly efficient and aligned partnership. BC technology brought clear engineering advantages — from higher efficiency and improved thermal performance to long-term reliability. Our engineering team greatly appreciated the precision and flexibility of the solution, which enabled us to deliver a robust project tailored to local conditions and fully aligned with Romania’s sustainability goals.”
The Chișineu-Criș project has delivered significant local economic benefits to the Arad County area, creating over 100 jobs and engaging regional contractors throughout the construction phase. By combining climate mitigation with local economic development, this large-scale solar initiative demonstrates how renewable energy investments can drive both emissions reduction and regional socio-economic resilience.
