The license will pave the way for the company to roll out its Dobruja Project, the most ambitious wind-power project of its kind developed in the country to date, which is expected to include the start-up of a series 50 wind farms in the region of Dobruja, in southeastern Romania. Iberdrola plans to build these wind farms between 2011 and 2017.

Iberdrola Renovables is implementing all its projects in Romania with the company Eolica Dobrogea. This company has been given the task of developing the projects – planning and obtaining the construction permits – while Iberdrola Renovables is responsible for constructing and operating the wind farms.

The company intends to begin construction this year on its first wind facility in Romania, the 80-MW Mihai Viteazu farm. This particular project does not fall within the new power concession granted by the Romanian government, but will also be located in the region of Dobruja. The farm is expected to be brought into service in January 2011.

2009 saw Iberdrola Renovables open its first office in the Romanian capital, Bucharest, as part of its ongoing plan to cement its presence in Eastern Europe. The company already has operating wind farms in Poland and Hungary, and is working on projects in Estonia and Bulgaria. It is also in the process of taking wind measurements in Russia.