Written by: Fatima Younis
The Mintia Combined Cycle Power Plant achieved a significant milestone represented by the successful connection of its first gas turbine to the national electricity grid in Romania for the first time, in mid-October 2026. This development represents a pivotal step in initiating the testing phase of the plant's equipment and electricity generation systems under grid-connected operating conditions.
Details of the Operational Testing Phase
During the first day of trial operation, the turbine was connected to the national grid at separate intervals, reaching a maximum total output of 135 MW at the generator terminals. Technical adjustments and subsystem calibrations continue to optimize operating parameters, with a daily testing schedule extending for about three weeks in coordination with the national electricity transmission company and Mass Global Energy to ensure operational compatibility with the needs of the electrical system.
Supporting the Power Grid During Peak Hours
The testing schedule is designed to take place during evening hours, allowing the generated electrical power to be directed to the grid during the evening peak demand period. This approach contributes to supporting the stability and reliability of the national electricity system in Romania amid recent operating challenges and conditions of generation capacity shortages in the local energy sector.
Expansion Prospects and Plant Capacities
The first gas turbine at the plant has an installed capacity of 575 MW. It is planned that testing of the second gas turbine, which has the same capacity of 575 MW, will begin in mid-December of the same year. By the end of 2026, it is expected that more than 1,000 MW of the plant's generation capacity will be integrated into the national electricity grid, enhancing available energy supplies and supporting the security and stability of the electrical system.
