Romgaz is aiming to generate the first electricity from its 430 MW Iernut gas-fired power station before the end of 2026, with Romania adding more wind and solar capacity. The project is positioned to provide additional flexible generation for a power system facing higher volumes of variable renewables.
Iernut construction delays and May procurement changes
Construction of the Iernut plant began in 2016, but contractual disputes and repeated implementation problems pushed commissioning well beyond the original schedule. A government memorandum approved in May eased procurement procedures for the remaining works. The change is intended to give Romgaz more flexibility to accelerate completion.
Site activity ramp-up and grid synchronisation timeline
Work at the Iernut site is expected to increase substantially from 1 September. Romgaz believes the plant could be synchronised with the national grid before year-end. The company has not yet confirmed the date for full commercial operation.
Role of flexibility as renewables expand
The value of Iernut for the Romanian market is linked to flexibility as well as headline capacity. The new unit is designed to respond to changes in renewable generation rather than run continuously as conventional baseload. That function is becoming more important as Romanian solar, wind and battery capacity expand and intraday volatility increases.
Generation from existing Iernut units during transition
Until the new plant becomes available, Romgaz continues producing electricity from existing Iernut facilities. This includes a 200 MW coal unit operating at full capacity.
