Investments made by Transgaz over the past seven to eight years, totalling more than €3 billion, have strengthened the security of gas supply for Romania and the region and have prepared the necessary infrastructure for taking over Black Sea gas, Transgaz CEO Ion Sterian said at the FOREN 2026 energy conference. He pointed out that the strategic projects developed in recent years have had an impact not only on Romania but also on the Republic of Moldova and the markets of Central and Southeastern Europe.
“At Transgaz, over the past 7–8 years, investments amounted to over €3 billion. These investments have led to increased gas supply security for Romania and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and the Balkans. As for the Republic of Moldova, I would like to point out that Romania, through Transgaz, has invested over €475 million, based on the value of investments made in 2019–2020. The Republic of Moldova has been connected to the national system and, through Romania’s national system, to the European transmission network. Today, it has the independence to bring in gas from any sources it chooses,” Ion Sterian stated.
“The pipeline from the Black Sea to Podisor and the BRUA corridor represent investments of nearly €1 billion. We have been ready to take over the Black Sea gas since last year, starting in early October. The gas pipeline is operational, receives gas, and ensures transit to Hungary and to the connected localities. When BRUA was being built, it was said that it would be a highway that would carry gas directly onward. BRUA is not and will not be a highway without off-ramps. We have connected all administrative-territorial units, all localities, and all major investments that submitted requests to Transgaz for connection contracts,” Transgaz CEO pointed out.
The pipeline for Mintia power plant is finalized
Ion Sterian announced that the operator has completed the pipeline dedicated to supplying gas to the Mintia power plant. “We have prepared and constructed the 56-kilometer pipeline that will supply gas—at a maximum capacity of 2.5 billion cubic meters—to the Mintia power plant. We have been ready for commissioning since October 20, 2025. Electrical testing begins on June 15. We are waiting for the Mintia team to complete the gas metering and regulating systems, and we hope that by the end of the year at least one 576 MW turbine will be put into operation.”
The largest investment in electricity generation since 1990, the new gas-fired power plant in Mintia, is being connected to the national grid today and is expected to begin supplying electricity within the next 2–3 days. This is the first power unit and by the end of 2027 the plant will be operating at its full capacity of 1700 MW.
Gas consumption will increase next winter
According to Transgaz’s estimates, natural gas consumption in Romania will increase significantly in the cold season, due to the commissioning of new gas-fired power generation capacities and the expansion of distribution networks.
“From our analysis, gas consumption in Romania between November 1 and March 31 will increase by 800 million cubic meters, to 1 billion cubic meters. Why? This is because a large number of gas-fired power generation facilities are coming online, and—through the Anghel Saligny program—many communities have been connected to the gas network, alongside the investments made by Transgaz to develop the national system,” the company’s CEO explained. He gave assurances that the operator is ready for the cold season. “We are ready to get through the winter. We are in the middle of a campaign to prepare the National Transmission System for the coming winter,” Sterian said.
The Vertical Corridor could almost double the transmission capacity
Transgaz CEO also reminded the development of the Vertical Gas Corridor, a project considered strategic for the region’s energy security.
“If the Bulgarian side fulfils its commitments and carries out the planned investments, the capacity of the Vertical Corridor will double, from 5 billion cubic meters to approximately 9.4 billion cubic meters annually, equivalent to about 27 million cubic meters per day,” he said.
According to Ion Sterian, the development of this corridor will both generate additional revenues for Transgaz and increase Romania’s strategic importance in the region. “All these investments will mean more transit through Romania for the Republic of Moldova and especially for Ukraine. On the other hand, Hungary has contracted gas from Azerbaijan and Turkey. All of this translates into revenue for Transgaz, which is channeled into investments and taxes paid to the state budget. It also strengthens Romania’s role in this part of Europe—in Central and Eastern Europe and the Balkans—as a gas hub, both physically and commercially,” Transgaz CEO added.
Development of the Romanian economy and the Vertical Corridor
The development of the Romanian economy, energy security, and rising electricity consumption require massive investments in transmission and distribution networks, and Romania needs €30-40 billion over the next few years to modernize its energy system, said Bende Sándor, RMDSZ MP and chairman of the Chamber of Deputies’ Committee for Industry and Services. According to Bende Sándor, Romania’s economic and industrial development depends directly on the modernization of the energy infrastructure. “If we want to develop this country and have a competitive industry, we need distribution and transmission networks for both natural gas and electricity,” the MP said. In this context, Sándor Bende praised the Vertical Gas Corridor project and the role played by Transgaz CEO Ion Sterian in promoting it. “Many people, and in particular certain countries in Europe—I won’t name them—are opposed to this project, because it is in their interest to transport the gas they purchase from north to south and distribute it here in Romania. We must have energy security, and through Mr. Ion Sterian’s idea regarding the Vertical Corridor—for which I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate him on this bold project—Romania has consolidated its position in the region and strengthened its energy security,” the chairman of the Committee for Industry and Services noted.