Minister of European Investments and Projects, Cristian Ghinea, recently signed contracts for the financing of three projects aimed at the development of natural gas networks. In total, through the Large Infrastructure Operational Program (POIM) 2014 – 2020, 10 projects of local authorities were recently approved, through which 15,444 people will be connected to natural gas networks, according to a statement.

Funded through POIM, the projects have a total value of 144 million lei and will allow access to the natural gas network of some localities in Covasna and Harghita.

“In Romania there is a need for a significant improvement in terms of access to gas networks, the connection rate is now covering only 40% of the total population. Through this type of projects, we are trying to recover the deficit and it is very good that we caught this chance through POIM – we hope to succeed in the future programs. I congratulate those who submitted projects, for their speed and high level of expertise. Through PNRR we will come up with a new proposal, to finance projects with advanced technology, gas mixed with hydrogen,” said Cristian Ghinea.

Currently, in the localities there is no natural gas distribution system, the only source of thermal energy being firewood, used both for heating and for food preparation and domestic hot water supply.

A total of 10 projects were approved, and for eight of them the financing contracts have been signed so far, with a total value of about 327 million lei.