The new power plant in Mintia, Hunedoara, has received environmental approval.
Due to its production capacity of 1,700 MW, this project is classified as the largest industrial objective in Romania since the Revolution (1989).
The estimated investment of 1.4 billion euros is expected to be completed by the year 2026.
"The Hunedoara Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued an environmental approval for the construction of the new gas-fired power plant in Mintia, Hunedoara County, considered the largest industrial objective in Romania," announced the National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA).
The first turbine will arrive at the plant by the end of May.
"The new plant will produce electricity in more environmentally friendly conditions, due to very low emissions of PM 10 and PM 2.5 particles, with minimal impact on the environment.
Furthermore, the sulfur oxides that were previously among the plant's emissions are no longer present in the new project, as indicated by the documents underlying the agreement. According to the colleagues from the Hunedoara EPA, who managed this entire environmental protection process, the first turbine will arrive at the plant by the end of May," announced the President of the National Environmental Protection Agency, Laurenţiu Alexandru Păştinaru.
Georgeta Barabaş, Executive Director of the Hunedoara EPA, explains why this is an environmental objective for the region.
"Let's hope it will bring much good to the area, primarily because the fuel is changing. It will no longer burn coal, but methane gas, and the impact on climate change will also be present in this case, as methane gas is still carbon, but the other pollutants that caused problems, such as dust and sulfur oxides, will be eliminated.
In terms of the authorization work, in addition to applying legislation on environmental impact assessment, biodiversity, or public health, we had to consult with Hungary and Serbia, both expressing their support for the project," stated the representative of the Hunedoara EPA at the environmental approval ceremony handed over to Mass Global Energy, the company currently owning the Mintia Power Plant.