Romania streamlines wind farm permitting. Health impact assessments no longer the default

article by Andreea Cărăgui and Mihaela Cîrstea, Glodeanu Partners

For investors and developers, the change signals a clear policy direction: accelerating renewable energy deployment while maintaining public health safeguards.

A key bottleneck removed

Until recently, wind farm developers in Romania faced a lengthy and costly permitting process, structured around securing grid connection and obtaining a building permit. A central element of this process was the sanitary endorsement issued by the Public Health Directorate (in Romanian, Direcția de Sănătate Publică – DSP).

In practice, this endorsement was closely tied to the obligation to conduct a health impact assessment – a complex and resource-intensive study required under Ministry of Health Order no. 119/2014.

The EIS process was not merely formal. It involved:

• extensive technical and environmental documentation;
• detailed health risk modelling;
• public consultation procedures;
• and discretionary review by the DSP.

As a result, the EIS often became a critical path item, influencing project timelines, costs, and ultimately bankability.

A shift to a risk-based framework

Order no. 499/2026 fundamentally changes this approach.

Wind farms are no longer included among projects subject to mandatory health impact assessments. Instead, the requirement is now triggered only on a case-by-case basis, depending on the project’s specific characteristics and potential health risks.

The DSP retains discretion to require an EIS where justified, including: at the development stage; or even during operation, if concerns arise.

This marks a clear transition from a uniform compliance model to a targeted regulatory tool.

The 1,000-meter rule: a new benchmark for developers

In parallel, the new regulation introduces a minimum sanitary protection distance of 1,000 meters between wind farms and protected areas such as residential zones, schools, hospitals, and recreational spaces.

From a business perspective, this is a crucial development: it provides a clear sitting parameter for early-stage planning; and, in practice, it is likely to reduce the likelihood of an EIS being required.

This added predictability is expected to support faster project structuring and more efficient site selection.

Transitional uncertainty remains

Despite its benefits, the new framework raises several practical questions.

Order no. 499/2026 does not include explicit transitional provisions, leaving uncertainty for projects already in development.

While it is clear that projects obtaining an urban planning certificate after 2 March 2026 fall under the new regime, ambiguity persists for projects with existing planning certificates but no building permit as well as situations where prior documentation refers to EIS requirements.

In addition, where the urban planning certificate does not explicitly require a sanitary endorsement, developers must decide whether to proactively engage with the DSP or proceed under the more permissive current framework.

What this means for investors

Overall, the reform is widely seen as developer-friendly and aligned with Romania’s renewable energy ambitions.

Key advantages include:

• reduced permitting costs, by eliminating mandatory EIS in most cases;
• shorter development timelines, by removing a major procedural hurdle;
• greater flexibility, allowing project-specific assessment.

However, the increased discretion granted to public health authorities introduces a degree of regulatory variability, particularly across different counties.

There is also a potential post-permitting risk, as an EIS may still be required during operation.

A more strategic permitting approach

Overall, the new regulation transforms the EIS from a general and automatic obligation into a targeted instrument, to be used where justified by the specific characteristics of a wind farm project.

In this new environment, developers are advised to adopt a proactive strategy: engage early with the DSP, especially for projects near sensitive receptors, ensure robust technical documentation supporting the absence of health risks, prioritize compliance with the 1,000-meter distance in site selection, and carefully assess the regulatory position of ongoing projects.

Outlook

Order no. 499/2026 represents a meaningful step towards modernizing Romania’s permitting framework for renewable energy projects.

By removing a rigid and often burdensome requirement, the reform enhances the country’s attractiveness for wind energy investments. At the same time, it introduces a more nuanced regulatory model, where success will depend not only on compliance, but also on strategic engagement with authorities.

For developers and investors alike, the message is clear: Romania is opening the door wider to wind energy—but navigating the process still requires careful planning.