GE Energy: Solar energy, the new area of interest

After the booming interest in the development of wind farms, a new trend may be emerging domestically in the field of renewable energy generation. Thus, solar energy projects may be the next to concentrate investments on long term, believes Carmen Neagu, region executive with GE Energy for Romania, Bulgaria and Moldova.

Neagu coordinates a field that brought $1bn projects in 2008, with the energy unit as the star segment of US General Electric at this moment, at least in this region.

The year 2009 was, however, weaker than 2008, with financing hurdles and falling energy consumption among the main factors beyond the decline in orders.

The most important contract the company managed to gain in 2009 was the one for the delivery of 101 wind turbines for the second phase of CEZ project, in Cogealac. The experience gained from such a contract is likely to turn into a significant benefit for GE in the long run as regards future tenders.

Neagu believes that after CEZ project, wind farms will be smaller in size, with projects of around 1,500 MW now in the final stage of authorisation and therefore likely to start being developed this year.

Amid the smaller size of wind farms, the renewable energy market has started witnessing a new trend: solar energy projects. “We’re also interested in solar energy projects, but for the time being there is no plan to boost investments in this field domestically. I believe, though, that solar energy will be the new area of interest for research and will probably have the same development trend as wind energy (…),” she said.

Another trend that has already shaped up on the energy market is the emergence of equipment making electricity generation more efficient. According to Neagu, cogeneration is an area boasting a huge development potential in Romania.

Neagu is upbeat as regards year 2010 for the region she runs. For Romania in particular prognoses are better especially taking into account the high investment need for the energy system.

GE Energy

• Most important won last year: delivery of 101 turbines for CEZ’s wind farm in Cogealac
• Sees a new trend taking shape: emergence of solar energy projects
• Sees huge potential for development of cogeneration projects in Romania