Electrica Group has taken over responsibility for supplying electricity to Liberty Galati, a move described by Electrica CEO Alexandru Chirita as a strategic decision aimed at safeguarding critical industrial capacity rather than a routine commercial arrangement.
Chirita highlighted that the decision underscores Electrica’s role in supporting Romania’s industrial base during periods of heightened pressure. He emphasized that reliable energy access is crucial not only for economic activity but also for industrial continuity and national resilience. The new supply arrangement is viewed as the foundation for long-term cooperation, allowing the steel plant to operate while transitioning toward a more stable future.
The intervention follows a situation where Liberty Galati faced the risk of disconnection from the electricity network, which could have halted operations at Romania’s largest steelworks, including its last operational blast furnace capable of producing steel for defense-related manufacturing. With rising European defense production and anticipated steel demand from reconstruction efforts in Ukraine, any loss of this capacity would have strategic consequences for the country.
Separately, the legal and restructuring process at Liberty Galati has progressed. The Galati Court approved amendments to the plant’s restructuring plan, clearing the way for an international auction of operational assets scheduled for mid-March.
The revised judicial reorganization plan aims to attract a strategic investor to modernize facilities and restart production sustainably. Authorities and stakeholders have stressed that steelmaking remains a sector of national importance, reinforcing the significance of uninterrupted energy supply during this critical period.
