On June 26, 2024, Hidroelectrica inaugurated the Micro hydro power plant (MHP, MHC) Poiana Ruscă objective, thus marking the completion of the first investment project realized with external financing. Local authorities, as well as partners involved in the project, participated in the event. Hidroelectrica was represented by Ianăș Rădoi, as COO, and Radu Constantin, as CAO, as well as by the team members who managed the financing and implementation of the project, including Emil Crișan (investment department manager) and Manuela Horvath (responsible with the communication and relationship with Innovation Norway in the project).
The investment in MHC Poiana Ruscă, worth 5.79 million lei, of which 2.3 million (462,000 EUR) were financed by the EEA & Norway Grants – Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, is the first Hidroelectrica project to benefit of the financial mechanism available for 2014-2021, within the “Romanian Energy Program”.
The project aims to achieve a new installed capacity of 0.2 MW, which generates 1.5 GWh/year of green electricity with zero CO2 emissions. Electricity is produced by using the servitude flow imposed downstream by the Poiana Ruscă dam in a new automated micro-hydro power plant, connected to the grid. The project has no impact on the environment, the implemented solution being a simple one, with a proven and mature technology in the hydropower field, where Hidroelectrica has extensive experience.
The reception for the completion of the construction and installation works related to the MHC Poiana Ruscă objective took place on June 19, 2024, marking an important step towards commissioning and the official inauguration. The project was realized with the contribution of the two partners, Uzinsider General Contractor S.A. and the equipment manufacturer WWS Wasserkraft GmbH, according to the contract signed on January 26, 2023. Also, on August 10, 2023, the connection contract to the National Energy System was signed with Comranado SRL.
The MHC Poiana Ruscă project represents an example of good practices both in Romania and in the region, and is part of Hidroelectrica’s investment strategy and policy. The advantages obtained through the realization of the new capacities for the production of electricity from renewable sources are for the benefit of all companies, communities, as well as the environment.
Every initiative similar to the MHC Poiana Ruscă project proves that any change can have a major contribution to increasing the quality of life, protecting the environment and improving the well-being of communities, regardless of the size of the project.