Politically endorsed at the highest level and technically confirmed as feasible, the HVDC interconnector could become operational even before the finalisation of the major offshore projects in the Black Sea or of Units 3 and 4 at Cernavodă. “With this project, we are taking another important step towards achieving the objective we work for every day at the Ministry of Energy: to have secure, affordable energy for Romanians and the economy and green energy – in this order of priorities”, summarised Energy Minister Sebastian Burduja.
The finalisation of the feasibility study for the future HVDC (high-voltage direct current) underground cable has been announced by Transelectrica together with TAQA, Meridiam and E-INFRA. The project will enable the transport, with minimal losses, of green energy produced in Romania – including from future offshore wind farms in the Black Sea – to consumers in Central Europe, crossing Romania over a distance of more than 1,100 kilometres. “This is one of the most important energy infrastructure projects of the next decade for our country. That is why we have made it clear: we have no time to lose”, Minister Burduja added.
An innovative solution on existing infrastructure
A key element of the project is the technical solution proposed by E-INFRA and confirmed by the study carried out by the Italian company CESI: the use of already available corridors – those of the BRUA and Tuzla-Podișor gas pipelines – for the installation of the HVDC cable. “We are pleased with the conclusions of the study and equally proud that the technical solution proposed by E-INFRA for the HVDC cable to be laid on the existing gas pipeline corridors has been confirmed as feasible”, said Teofil Mureșan, CEO of E-INFRA.
The benefits are multiple: lower costs, reduced environmental impact and faster authorisation processes – all essential in an increasingly competitive European energy infrastructure market.
Romania in the extended European energy grid
The HVDC project will allow Romania to interconnect with major European energy corridors such as SuedLink or NordLink, enabling an efficient distribution of clean energy from the Black Sea to Northern Europe. The direct benefits concern both Romanian consumers and the stability of the regional grid. “This project will increase energy security, accelerate the integration of renewable energy generation and contribute to cheaper and less dependent energy in Central and Eastern Europe,” said David Delgado Romero, Partner and CEE Executive Director at Meridiam.
For the Romanian business community, this project opens up investment prospects, cross-border collaborations and a new regional status: from simple producer to strategic supplier of green energy in Europe.