Engineers testing the new Mintia gas power plant in Romania fired up the first turbine. It marked a technical milestone for a facility set to become the biggest of its kind in Europe when completed.
After much delay, Mintia in Hunedoara county in western Romania is nearing the launch of operations. The first segment was connected to the electricity transmission grid in June, and the latest feat was igniting the combustors of one of the two turbines with actual natural gas.
Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Ilie Bolojan announced that the so-called first fire has been achieved.
Mintia is a former coal power plant. Mass Global Energy Rom, a subsidiary of Mass Group Holding from Iraq, took it over in 2022. The company is controlled by Jordanian businessman Ahmad Ismail Saleh.
With the planned steam turbine, the Mintia system would reach 1.7 GW
The two units have 1.1 GW combined. With a planned steam turbine, upgrading the system to CCGT (combined cycle gas turbine) technology, the capacity is set to reach 1.7 GW.
Mintia would be the biggest gas power plant in the European Union. The investment is estimated at EUR 1.2 billion. Alongside the Iernut gas power plant envisaged for launch next year as well, it is essential for quitting coal use in Romania and enabling more renewables deployment.
During trial operation, Mass Global Energy Rom gets RON 400 per MWh (EUR 74.9 MWh) under a government support scheme.
The commissioning deadline is mid-year 2027, but the maximum is 1.45 GW until the completion of the 220 kV Mintia-Timișoara overhead power line.
