Romania will not make any compromise regarding the production of electricity at the Portile de Fier/Iron Gates 1 and 2 hydropower plants, said the minister of Energy, Sebastian Burduja.
The statement comes in the context in which Serbia wants to build a new hydroelectric plant on the Danube, Iron Gates 3, downstream of the two existing ones, which would lead to a decrease in energy production at Iron Gates 1 and 2.
“Iron Gates I is a pillar of our energy system, and continuous investments in the modernization of this infrastructure are essential to ensure the stability and efficiency of electricity production. Hidroelectrica remains a strategic partner in achieving Romania’s objectives of producing safe, green energy at a competitive price. We addressed the subject of Djerdap 3, a possible pumped storage plant located on the territory of Serbia, now at a pre-feasibility study level. The Serbian side worked with the American company Bechtel, which presented preliminary data regarding the investment and possible impact on energy production from Iron Gates I and II. We are very attentive to these investment plans because we do not want to suffer under any circumstances the exploitation potential of the existing hydropower plants on the Danube. Being a pumped-storage hydropower plant, we understand its importance, its role in providing system, balancing services, but – once again – we will not make any compromises from the production of electricity from Iron Gates I and II,” said minister of Energy, Sebastian Burduja, who paid a working visit to the Portile de Fier I Hydropower Plant on Monday.
Burduja has also signed, together with the Minister of Energy of Serbia, a memorandum on the construction of a gas pipeline between the two countries. “Last but not least, today the topic of Djerdap III (hydroelectric plant under pre-construction on the border between Serbia and Romania) was addressed, a pumped storage plant on the territory of Serbia, being at a preliminary level of study of prefeasibility. The Serbian side worked with the American company Bechtel that did this pre-feasibility study and a week ago they presented preliminary data regarding this investment and a possible impact on the infrastructure at Iron Gates I and Iron Gates II,” said Minister Burduja.
In May, a press release from the Ministry of Energy in Belgrade stated that a working group had been formed for the construction of the Iron Gates 3 hydroelectric plant. The relevant ministry in Bucharest reacted, stating that there is no working group in this regard, and such a project must be widely debated, as it could have a significant impact on the environment and navigability.
“We have big investment plans in modernizing and diversifying production capabilities, with a strong focus on sustainability and innovation. Our company has allocated a budget of 1.4 billion euros over the next 4 years for investments in modernization, re-technology and acquisitions. We have doubled the maintenance budgets for each hydroelectric plant, but you know very well that there are procedures and legal procurement deadlines, there are many challenges, but we are looking to find solutions together with the entire Hidroelectrica team. This year we have greatly increased the pace of investment across the company. I have approved the technical documentation and it will soon be out on SEAP for the transformers needed at the Iron Gates. The purchase value of the high-power transformers at Portile de Fier is 119 million lei, the documentation for this purchase has already been completed, and the auction and implementation will follow until the year 2028. We are in the process of finalizing the works on the hub of the hydro unit located in Reșita and we have as a deadline of 14 February 2025 to bring HA1 into operation,” said in his turn Karoly Borbely, CEO Hidroelectrica.
The Iorn Gates. Portile de Fier I hydropower plant, inaugurated in 1972, is one of the largest hydrotechnical constructions on the Danube River, with an installed power of 1,166.4 MW and an annual production capacity of approximately 5.4 TWh. This includes a dam with a length of 1,278 meters and 12 Kaplan turbines (6 of which are operated by Hidroelectrica), being an essential element in Romania’s energy system and contributing significantly to electricity production and river water management. In the average hydrological year, the Portile de Fier I hydropower plant provides approx. 10% of the national consumption requirement.