Nova Power & Gas, part of the E-INFRA Group, announced the commissioning and start of commercial operations of the largest battery energy storage system (BESS) in Romania. Located in Florești, Cluj County, it has an installed power of 200 MW and a storage capacity of 400 MWh. The project was financed by Banca Transilvania through an investment loan exceeding €75 million.  Țuca Zbârcea & Asociații provided legal assistance to Banca Transilvania in all stages of the credit facility, including due diligence on the project, drafting and signing of the facility agreement and related financing documents, as well as the fulfillment of the conditions precedent and the use of the credit facility.  The team of lawyers included Gabriela Anton, Partner (Banking & Finance), Cătălin Georgescu, Managing Associate (Banking & Finance), Paul Butuzar, Associate (Banking & Finance), Alexandra Pereș, Partner (Real Estate and Construction), Sorin Vlădescu, Partner (Energy), Răzvan Gheorghiu-Testa, Partner (Corporate/Commercial Law and Real Estate), Andreea Oprișan, Partner (Competition & Antitrust/FDI).  With this project, Romania doubles its total battery energy storage capacity at the time of commissioning.

Romania’s Competition Council issued its first decision against “no‑poach” agreements in the automotive and engineering labour markets. This landmark enforcement action resulted in total fines of approximately EUR 32.15 million imposed on eight companies for coordinated restrictions on recruiting and hiring specialised personnel. The investigation established that the companies agreed not to compete for the recruitment and mutual hiring of qualified or specialised staff involved in motor-vehicle production activities and related engineering and technical consulting services in Romania. The practices included agreements between the companies not to approach, solicit, or hire each other’s employees without prior consent. The Council characterised the conduct as a form of market allocation in the labour market.