Romanian Government approves 16 strategic PPP investments

The Romanian Government passed a decision on August 23 to approve 16 strategic investment objectives that will be prepared and assigned in public-private partnership (PPP) through the National Strategy and Prognosis Commission.

Eight of the projects approved are newly introduced. Among them are Turnu Magurele – Nicopole Hydrotechnical Complex on the Danube River and Tarnita – Lapustesti Pumped Storage Hydro Power Plant (PSHPP).

Turnu Magurele – Nicopole Hydrotechnical Complex would ensure the long-term economic development of Turnu Magurele city as well as the water supply of nearby towns and villages so they are no longer dependent on the Danube’s levels.

The future hydropower installed capacity will be about 400 MW, that will help increase the energy security of Romania and lower dependence on imports. Also, this could be a new way of communication and railway land between Romania and Bulgaria.

Another objective by creating Turnu Magurele – Nicopole Hydrotechnical Complex will be regulating the Danube, with positive effects for flood protection by embankments and drainage works or port raising works. Through this project, the government relies on the economic revitalization of the region of Turnu Magurele, creating new jobs and benefitting from infrastructure modernization.

Tarnita – Lapustesti PSHPP is an objective of national interest, considering the essential role that it will have in the participation to the necessary frequency-power ratio, upon the commissioning of the 3 and 4 CNE Cernavoda groups, during 2015 – 2017.

In this context, the construction of hydroelectric pumped storage pumping Tarnita – Lapustesti represents a priority to short and medium-term strategy for development of the Romanian energy sector in the period 2007 – 2020, approved by Government Decision no. 1069/2007. Currently, in the world, 600 power plants with accumulation through pumping are operated, while 60 more are being either built or designed.

In 2014, the Government of Romania approved the investment needed for the pumped storage hydropower plant (PSHPP) Tarnita – Lapustesti through the company HIDRO TARNITA SA.

The PSHPP Tarnita – Lapustesti hydro power plant with accumulation through pumping will be built in Cluj county, 30 km upstream of Cluj-Napoca city, on the valley of Somesul Cald river, on the left mountainside adjacent to the Tarnita reservoir. The superior accumulation will take place in the area of the Lapustesti plateau, at an altitude of 1,100 meters. The plant’s design provides four reversible groups, pump-turbine, with an installed power of 4 x 250 MW, and its construction is provided to take place during two stages, in 5 – 7 years. Being a plant with accumulation through pumping, it will ensure a safety increase in the operation of the electric energy system.

The construction of the Tarnita – Lapustesti PSHPP means a green-field investment valued by ISPH PD Designer, who conducted the feasibility study of the Romanian side at about 1 billion euros (excl. VAT). The investment required for connection to the National Power System (NPS) includes lines Tarnita – Gadalin, Tarnita – Mintia, new cells in Cluj – Gadalin and Mintia stations, the output power station from PSHPP and will be secured by CN Transelectrica SA.