Bogdan Tudorache

Romania will invest around 720 million euro in expanding gas storage capacity in the medium term to increase its current capacity to 3.8 billion cubic meters (bcm), says Dimitrios Mezartasoglou, Associate Research Institute for Energy for South East Europe Europe (IENE).

„Most states in the region will increase their gas storage capacity. Romania will invest around 720 million euros by 2022 in this respect,” Mezartasoglou said.

At the same time, Romania’s gas demand is expected to increase by 0.5 bcm to 13.5 bcm by 2025. Depogaz’s storage capacity was about 2.8 bcm last year.

„Unfortunately, because of Government Emergency Ordinance 114, many investments will not take place – and Romania risks not becoming a regional gas hub,” the expert added. He explained that, on the basis of Ropepca’s statements – which consider a possible 30-50% decrease in certain investment budgets, following the overcharge imposed by the ordinance, many necessary investments will be postponed.