Mintia starts turbine tests; full completion pushed to 2027 — NRG-IA

The first gas turbine at the new Mintia power plant is entering testing, marking a major technical milestone for a project set to become the largest single-site gas-fired power plant in the European Union. According to Profit.ro , the electrical installations for gas turbine No. 1 are being tested with the support of Transelectrica and the National Power Dispatcher (DEN). The announcement was made by Virgiliu Ivan, head of DEN, at the opening of FOREN 2026, pointing to 11:00 AM for the start of the first turbine's tests. This stage does not represent the start of full-capacity commercial production. Instead, it marks the project's transition into an advanced technical phase, where equipment, electrical installations, grid connection, and system integration begin to be verified under operating conditions. First turbine enters technical system testing Mintia represents a major energy stake for Romania. Built on the site of the former coal-fired power plant, the project benefits from legacy energy infrastructure and direct access to the transmission grid. The new plant is being developed by Mass Global Energy Rom, a company controlled by Jordanian businessman Ahmad Ismail Saleh. The project's total capacity is projected at over 1,700 MW. In the grid connection documentation cited by Profit.ro , the installed capacity is listed at 1,738.20 MW. At this scale, Mintia is not merely a local or regional project, but a facility capable of directly contributing to the balancing of the National Power Grid. The tests on the first turbine are crucial as they verify the link between the plant's equipment and the grid infrastructure. In a project of this scale, transitioning from construction to operation involves a sequence of phases: energization, electrical checks, component testing, gas system adjustments, operational integration, and ultimately, commercial operation. Ion Sterian, Director General of Transgaz, indicated that electrical testing is underway and that the completion of the gas metering and regulation station is pending. He expressed hope that at least one 576 MW turbine would be commissioned by the end of the year. Mintia can provide dispatchable power to a system increasingly reliant on renewables The plant's significance goes beyond its installed capacity. Romania is adding more solar and wind projects, and the grid requires dispatchable capacity that can generate power when renewable output drops or when demand peaks during critical hours. A combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) plant can provide flexible power, support grid balancing, and alleviate pressure on the system during periods when variable generation falls short of demand. In this regard, Mintia could become a cornerstone of security of supply, especially in a market where the gap between high solar generation hours and peak consumption is widening. This role must be viewed in the context of the energy system's broader reality. Romania simultaneously requires renewable energy, storage, reinforced grids, and dispatchable capacity. Mintia fits into this architecture as a gas-fired project with potential stabilizing capabilities, rather than a substitute for grid investments or flexibility solutions. Grid connection remains a critical piece of the project The Mintia project depends heavily on transmission infrastructure. Transelectrica recently signed a contract for the acquisition and installation of a new power transformer at the 400/220/110 kV Mintia substation, where the new plant will be connected. The contract is valued at RON 34.48 million plus VAT. This equipment is essential for adapting the transmission infrastructure to a plant exceeding 1,700 MW. At this scale, grid connection is not a mere technical formality, but a direct prerequisite for power evacuation and safe grid operation. The Mintia substation plays a strategic role for the western region and the integration of the new capacity. Any delays in connection equipment, testing, protection systems, automation, or adjustments could impact the plant's operational timeline. Full capacity could be delayed until the end of 2027 In parallel with the first turbine entering testing, the project's overall timeline remains under pressure. Mass Global Energy Rom has requested a one-year extension to complete the investment, pushing the deadline to December 31, 2027. The December 2022 contract, through which Mass Global Energy Rom acquired the assets of the old Mintia power plant from Complexul Energetic Hunedoara for over €91 million, required the developer to complete a new power capacity of at least 1,290 MW by December 31, 2026. According to documents cited by Profit.ro , the extension request was justified by delays in obtaining the building permit, environmental agreement delays, and procedural difficulties regarding visas for specialized workers. The liquidator reported that investment progress is substantial, with 1,100 MW—representing over 85% of the 1,290 MW contractual…