Romania is moving closer to a major milestone in its energy transition, as the new gas-fired power plant at Mintia prepares for its first connection to the national grid within the coming weeks. According to the transmission system operator Transelectrica, the first phase of the project is progressing ahead of schedule, with mid-May now set as the revised target for energizing the first gas turbine.
The immediate focus is on bringing the first turbine unit online, which alone will provide more than 575 MW of installed capacity once operational. Before synchronization with the grid, several technical requirements still need to be completed, including final on-site installations, system testing, staff training, and integration into the national SCADA control system. Once energized, the turbine will enter a testing phase expected to last at least one month.
The broader development envisions a combined-cycle gas power plant with a total capacity of up to 1,700 MW, which would make it one of the largest facilities of its kind in Europe upon completion. With projected annual generation exceeding 12,000 GWh and an expected operational lifespan of around 30 years, the plant is set to become a key pillar of both Romanian and regional energy security.
Financing for the project includes a major loan of approximately $500 million, secured earlier this year by Mass Group Holding, supporting a total investment estimated at €1.2–1.4 billion. The project is further underpinned by new gas infrastructure, with Transgaz completing a pipeline system capable of supplying up to 2.5 billion cubic meters of gas annually.
The facility is being developed on the site of a former coal-fired power plant that was decommissioned due to non-compliance with EU environmental standards. Acquired in 2022 by Mass Global Energy Rom, the site is now being transformed into a strategic asset in Romania’s shift toward lower-emission generation, while preserving grid stability during the energy transition.
