Romania to upgrade and convert four energy plants with EUR 1 bln

The Romanian state is in advanced talks with Israel Electrica Corporation, the largest energy company in Israel, to upgrade and convert from coal to gas four energy groups that are part of the Mintia thermal plant, in the Hunedoara county. The project is estimated at EUR 1 billion, energy minister Toma Petcu said yesterday at a conference, reports local Agerpres. Each of the energy group has a 100 MW capacity. After the reconversion, they will operate with gas and coal. Romanian state-owned gas producer Romgaz is also work on a new gas power plant in Iernut. The energy groups in Mintia, together with the Iernut plant, will rebalance Romania’s energy system considering that 80% of the electricity generation capacity is currently in the southern part of the country, the minister said. Mintia and Iernut are located in the central part of Romania. The Mintia thermal plant currently produces electricity using coal from the Jiului Valley. editor@romania-insider.com