Coal-to-gas switch planned in Romania

Siemens Energy will supply turbine technology for a European power plant being switched from coal-fired to natural gas.

Siemens Energy and independent power producer Mass Global Energy Rom S.R.l. have signed a contract for the supply of the HL-class gas turbine technology for the Mintia combined cycle power plant in Romania. With a maximum power generation efficiency of more than 64%, the plant will be the most efficient gas-fired power plant in Romania and one of the most efficient gas-fired plants in Europe, the companies said.

It will have an electrical capacity of 1700 MW and will replace a retired coal-fired power plant.

“This project is a prime example of how the determination of policymakers, private investors, and technology providers can make a significant difference in accelerating the energy transition while also balancing the energy trilemma,” said Karim Amin, member of the Executive Board of Siemens Energy. “Our latest HL-class gas turbine technology in combined cycle configuration will replace the capacity of the old coal-fired Mintia power plant and slash CO2 emissions by more than 50% when completed.”

Ahmad Ismail Saleh, owner of Mass Global Energy Rom S.R.l., said the project is not only a strategic investment in the Romanian energy sector, but added that the new power plant will mark the beginning of the decarbonization of the region’s former coal-fired power generation with a planned simple cycle operation by the first half of May 2025 and combined cycle completion in the first quarter of 2026.

The new plant will be fired with domestic natural gas. The Siemens Energy scope of supply includes two gas turbines of type SGT5-9000HL with associated generators, an SST5-5000 steam turbine with SGen-3000W generator, and the SPPA-T3000 control system. In the 50Hz market it’s Siemens Energy’s first HL-class power plant in a 2x1 multi-shaft configuration. The waste heat from two gas turbines is combined to generate