Romanian natural gas consumption is expected to increase by approximately 10 billion cubic meters over the next 3-4 years, effectively doubling current levels, according to the National Gas System Development Plan 2024-2033 prepared by Transgaz, the country’s natural gas transmission system operator. This rise in consumption will be largely driven by several key projects and industrial developments.
Among the main contributors is the Mintia gas-fired power plant, which has a production capacity of 1,700 MW and is expected to consume 2.5 billion cubic meters of gas annually. The construction of two cogeneration plants in Ișalnița and Turceni, as part of the Energy Complex Oltenia restructuring plan approved by the European Commission, will add another 1.5 billion cubic meters per year, with a combined capacity of 1,200 MWh. The completion of the Iernut gas-fired power plant will further increase gas consumption by 1 billion cubic meters annually, with a production capacity of 450 MW.
In addition to these energy projects, the restart of major industrial facilities will also drive up gas demand. The Azomureș artificial fertilizer plant, once operational, will consume 1.2 billion cubic meters of gas per year, while the reactivation of the Piatra-Neamț chemical plant will account for over 0.8 billion cubic meters annually. These developments signal a significant shift in Romania’s energy landscape, as chemical plants reopen and large coal-fired power plants transition to natural gas.
This shift is further supported by the expected additional gas supply from the Black Sea’s Neptun Deep perimeter, operated by OMV Petrom and Romgaz, with production set to begin in 2027. Despite this new source, Romania will still require natural gas imports to meet its increased demand.
Over the past 15 years, gas consumption in Romania has declined by 40%, from 18 billion cubic meters to 10 billion, primarily due to the closure of chemical and petrochemical plants. However, these new projects mark a reversal of that trend, fueled by industrial revitalization and the transition to cleaner energy sources.
