Abstract

In order to link the question of renewable energy to regional development and territorial cohesion, the article aims to present and

evaluate recent initiatives taking place in the North-West Development Region of Romania, with emphasis on emerging

renewable energy clusters. Moreover, we will present a case-study on geothermal energy cluster in Northern Transylvania. The

state-of-art analysis is a result of a previous FP7 project, while the action plan has been derived from its results in a participative

way, through organizing a focus-group session with all relevant stakeholders. Such initiatives come to support the idea that

decentralized energy production may successfully contribute to regional development and cohesion by providing income sources

and creating employment opportunities.