The European Commission has launched an in-depth State aid investigation to assess whether Romania’s proposed amendments to the restructuring plan of energy company Complexul Energetic Oltenia comply with EU State aid rules. The review focuses on an increase in public support and an extension of the restructuring timeline.
In January 2022, the Commission conditionally approved €2.66 billion in restructuring aid to support CE Oltenia’s transition and financial recovery between 2021 and 2026 under the EU’s rescue and restructuring guidelines. The aid was intended to help restore the company’s long-term viability while facilitating its shift away from lignite-based power generation.
In December 2025, Romania notified the Commission of a revised restructuring plan, proposing to increase total aid to €2.86 billion and extend the restructuring period until the end of 2029. According to Romanian authorities, delays in the construction of replacement solar and gas-fired power plants have slowed the planned phase-out of lignite capacity. Romania also cited regional energy security concerns linked to the current geopolitical situation, noting that CE Oltenia plays a key role in supplying electricity domestically and to neighbouring countries, including Moldova and Ukraine.
The Commission will now assess whether the extended timeline remains justified and whether the revised plan still ensures CE Oltenia’s return to long-term viability. It will also examine whether the company and private stakeholders are contributing sufficiently to restructuring costs, whether additional safeguards are in place to limit distortions of competition, and whether the delays in implementing key restructuring measures were outside the control of the company or the Romanian authorities.
The opening of the in-depth investigation allows Romania and interested third parties to submit comments and does not prejudge the final outcome. CE Oltenia, which is majority-owned by the Romanian state, is a major employer in its region and remains an important player in Romania’s energy sector.