Ion Sterian, CEO of Transgaz, emphasized the importance of production for a nation’s future, stating, ‘Let’s prioritize connecting our communities to gas, displacing wood heating, before considering hydrogen,’ as reported by Business Magazin.
Transgaz, responsible for the national natural gas transportation system, has inked 110 connection contracts with municipalities and towns across various counties and 26 agreements with industrial consumers. These endeavors will result in a phased consumption estimated at 11.6 billion cubic meters.
The consumer roster includes Azomureş and upcoming gas-fired power plants slated for operation. Despite plans for gas extraction from the Black Sea and Neptun Deep by 2027, Romania is poised to continue gas imports.
Presently, Romania’s gas consumption hovers around 10 billion cubic meters. The contracts sealed by Transgaz offer a potential opportunity to double domestic demand.
Furthermore, Transgaz, representing Romania, is considering acquiring approximately 10% of Gastrade’s share capital. Gastrade operates the new LNG floating terminal in Greece’s Alexandroupolis port.
The current shareholder distribution comprises five entities, each with a 20% stake: Kopelouzou Group, Gaslog, DEPA, Emporias, Bulgartransgaz, and DESFA.
Set for commercial launch on April 30, the project aims to allocate 70% of gas volumes to Bulgaria and beyond, reaching countries such as Serbia, North Macedonia, Romania, Moldova, Ukraine, Hungary, and Slovakia. Gastrade’s collaborative partners include DESFA, Gaslog Cyprus Investment, DEPA Commercial, and Elmina Copelouzos.
The Alexandroupolis floating terminal, completed this year, boasts an annual capacity of 5.5 billion cubic meters, matching Romania’s daily gas production. Additionally, Transgaz is engaged in the Argo FSRU project in Volos.
Gastrade anticipates its second LNG cargo shipment next month, coinciding with the terminal’s commercial operations launch in late April. The initial cargo, delivered by the 174,000-cubic-meter LNG carrier, GasLog Hong Kong, originated from the USA in February, with DEPA allocating some volumes to Moldova’s Energocom.
Sources: businessmagazin.ro, jurnalul.ro
