Ministry of Energy: We are facing an acute energy crisis

Our country is facing an acute crisis in the energy sector, marked by the inability to ensure the necessary domestic consumption of electricity, a situation that endangers the stability of the National Power System (SEN) and increases dependence on imports, which, at certain times, reach alarming levels, show the employees of the Ministry of Energy in the Substantiation Note of a draft Government Decision on the Mintia Power Plant, posted in transparency at the end of last week.

"For example, on November 14, 2024, between 17:00 and 18:00, imports covered over 35% of the consumption needs, representing 2,938 MW out of a peak load of 8,539 MW," the document states.

Officials from the Ministry of Energy state that these data reveal a structural problem in the Romanian energy system, exacerbated by internal and external factors. On the one hand, insufficient investments in new production capacities, as well as the withdrawal of coal-fired units due to the decarbonization process, have significantly reduced domestic production capacity. On the other hand, the tense geopolitical context and the volatility of the international energy market amplify supply risks.

Therefore, according to the Substantiation Note, our country is increasingly dependent on external energy sources, which exposes it to price fluctuations and possible deficiencies during peak consumption periods. The cited source mentions that the limited availability of imported energy at certain times, such as the summer of 2024, was determined by the insufficient capacity of the cross-border transport infrastructure, but also by the commercial and technical restrictions imposed by international operators. In addition, within the SEN, the integration of renewable sources (wind and photovoltaic energy) without sufficient balancing capacity has increased the instability of the network. In the absence of flexible and rapid solutions, such as gas-fired power plants or storage units, imbalances increase costs and the risks of supply interruptions.

To address this crisis and reduce dependence on imports, the Ministry of Energy states that the MASS Mintia Power Plant project represents an essential solution. The new plant, with a total capacity of 1,770 MW, will be built by Mass Global Energy Rom SRL on the site of the former Mintia Power Plant, in Hunedoara County. The project will use natural gas, replacing coal, and will include modern technology to reduce emissions and increase energy efficiency. Therefore, the project in question should be declared by the Government as one of national importance. The Executive will facilitate its implementation, offering it legislative and fiscal advantages. Also, the construction of the gas pipeline necessary to supply the plant will be partially financed by the Modernization Fund, with 33.97 million lei, or 6.82 million euros.