Romania is poised to significantly increase its natural gas production with the Neptun Deep project in the Black Sea, which is set to inject €20 billion into the country’s economy. According to Energy Minister Sebastian Burduja, the project will access at least 100 billion cubic meters of natural gas, effectively doubling Romania’s production capacity. Currently, Romania produces and consumes between 8 and 10 billion cubic meters annually, which means the country is nearly self-sufficient in terms of gas.
The Neptun Deep project, valued at €4 billion, is the largest energy investment in Romania’s history. The project is a joint venture between OMV Petrom and Romgaz, with both companies equally owning the initiative. The economic benefits are expected to be substantial, with at least €20 billion expected to flow into state revenues and Romanian households.
Romania’s gas consumption is expected to grow by 25-30% in the coming years, spurred by the expansion of the residential gas network and the construction of new gas-fired power plants. The Mintia power plant, for example, will become the EU’s largest gas-fired facility with a capacity of 1,750 MW, surpassing the output of the Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant. Other significant energy projects include the nearly completed Iernut power plant, as well as new gas units planned at Isalnita and Turceni, adding another 1,300 MW to Romania’s electricity grid.
With domestic gas production set to double and demand on the rise, Romania is expected to have a surplus of gas for export. The country’s natural gas resources will also support critical industries, such as chemical fertilizers and pharmaceuticals, further fueling Romania’s industrial growth.
However, the Neptun Deep project has faced resistance from environmental organizations, some of which have called for the dismissal of Minister Burduja. These groups have raised concerns about the environmental impact of the project, while others have suggested that opposition comes from entities with foreign interests, particularly from Russia, who are wary of Romania becoming a major gas supplier in the region. Minister Burduja has urged energy companies to take legal action against these environmental NGOs and seek maximum compensation for any delays caused to energy projects.
Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu has voiced strong support for the Neptun Deep initiative, dismissing the criticism as being driven by external forces that are threatened by Romania’s growing role as a natural gas producer.
