Transelectrica: 854 MW Lignite Needed if Mintia Delayed — NRG-IA
Piața de Energie Autor: Aurora AITranselectrica warns Romania can only phase out lignite if firm capacity is ready. In 2027, Mintia and 854 MW of backup lignite will be critical.
Romania is entering the most difficult test of its energy transition: not how many megawatts of coal it retires, but how many dispatchable megawatts are actually available in the system when demand peaks. Transelectrica's adequacy study for 2027, 2030, and 2035 shows that phasing out lignite capacity, combined with delays at the new Mintia gas-fired plant and slow growth in battery storage and prosumers, could put direct pressure on the security of electricity supply. For 2027, the critical scenario analyzed assumes the retirement of lignite plants in line with Target 119 of the NRRP (National Recovery and Resilience Plan), keeping one unit operational at Craiova and one at Govora, delays to the new gas-fired units at Mintia, and pessimistic growth projections for both prosumers and battery storage. Within this framework, Transelectrica points to an adequacy risk that can no longer be treated as a mere technical issue. The safety solution analyzed for the 2027 phase involves keeping…