Modernization of CHP power plants in Romania with high-efficiency gas engines

Elsaco Electronic has teamed up with Clarke Energy to modernize district heating networks in Arad and Constanța, Romania, with high-efficiency cogeneration engines, targeting a significant reduction in energy consumption.

Share:

Elsaco Electronic and Clarke Energy are deploying cogeneration projects to replace aging equipment in the district heating networks of two Romanian cities, Arad and Constanța.
Using Jenbacher J920 FleXtra engines, the new facilities will deliver a combined 85 MW electrical and 80 MW thermal power, with an anticipated 30% reduction in primary fuel consumption.
These projects, financed by the European Union, are part of Romania’s national strategy to modernize its energy infrastructure.
The use of these engines marks a first in the country, and prepares facilities for the future use of hydrogen and biomethane mixtures.
This approach aims to improve network efficiency while reducing operating costs and emissions.

Economic and industrial implications

Modernizing the energy infrastructure in these cities should generate substantial savings in operating costs.
Current systems, based on steam turbines from the 1960s, are showing signs of obsolescence and inefficiency, making these renovations crucial to ensuring a stable, cost-effective energy supply.
By integrating cogeneration solutions, these projects are helping to strengthen the resilience of urban energy networks, while paving the way for the adoption of more advanced technologies in the near future.
The flexibility offered by the new engines means they can be adapted to future changes in the energy mix, notably with the integration of alternative fuels.

Outlook for Romania’s energy sector

These projects illustrate the growing trend in Romania to modernize and diversify its energy sources, particularly in the decentralized generation sector.
By modernizing cogeneration plants, the country is positioning itself to meet future energy challenges, while reducing its dependence on obsolete technologies.
The implementation of these initiatives could serve as a model for other similar projects in the region, encouraging the adoption of cutting-edge technologies in energy production.
This move towards more flexible and efficient infrastructures is essential to meet market demands and energy performance expectations.

Italian group Eni signs a twenty-year liquefied natural gas supply contract with US-based Venture Global, covering two mn tonnes per year and marking a first for the company from the United States.
The discovery of the Gajajeira field marks a major step for Angola, strengthening its natural gas development strategy and diversifying national energy resources in a context of sector transition.
The Voskhod vessel, under US sanctions, docked at the Arctic LNG 2 plant in Russia, marking the second visit by a sanctioned ship to the site this year, according to maritime tracking data.
Japan has urgently secured several additional cargoes of liquefied natural gas from the United States to avert an imminent electricity supply shortage caused by rapidly declining national reserves expected at the end of July.
The European Commission has unveiled a proposal to prohibit the import of Russian gas into the Union, sparking intense debate on its feasibility, contractual impact and consequences for supply security among several Member States.
CNOOC Limited announces the discovery of a significant oil and gas reservoir in the buried hills of the Beibu Gulf, opening new opportunities for shallow water exploration off the coast of China.
TotalEnergies’ Mozambique LNG gas project is at the centre of a legal challenge in Washington, following the approval of a $4.7 bn loan by the US Exim Bank, amid security concerns and opposition from civil society groups.
Investors are closely watching U.S. midstream companies’ announcements regarding new gas pipeline expansions targeting promising markets in the West and Northeast, beyond traditional regions in Texas and the Southeast.
PPL Corporation and Blackstone Infrastructure announce a strategic partnership to develop new gas-fired power plants to supply electricity to data centers through long-term contracts in Pennsylvania.
Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd announces a new record initial flow test result at the Shenandoah S2-2H ST1 well and the start of its 2025 drilling campaign in the Beetaloo Basin.
Technip Energies has secured a contract to lead preparatory works for a floating liquefied natural gas unit in Africa, confirming its presence in the international gas infrastructure market.
The Slovak government is seeking guarantees from the European Union to secure its supplies as talks continue over ending Russian gas and adopting a new round of sanctions.
ArcLight Capital Partners announces the acquisition of Middletown Energy Center, a combined-cycle natural gas power plant, aimed at meeting the substantial rise in energy demand from data centers and digital infrastructure in Ohio.
The commissioning of LNG Canada, the first major Canadian liquefied natural gas export facility led by Shell, has not yet triggered the anticipated rise in natural gas prices in western Canada, still facing persistent oversupply.
Horizon Petroleum Ltd. is advancing towards the production launch of the Lachowice 7 gas well in Poland, having secured necessary permits and completed preliminary works to commence operations as early as next August.
European Union member states have requested to keep their national strategies for phasing out Russian gas by 2027 confidential, citing security concerns and market disruption risks, according to a document revealed by Reuters.
TotalEnergies becomes a member of PJM Interconnection, expanding its trading capabilities in North America's largest wholesale electricity market. The decision strengthens the company's presence in the United States.
Turkey has connected its gas grid to Syria’s and plans to begin supplying gas for power generation in the coming weeks, according to Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar.
Despite record electricity demand, China sees no significant increase in LNG purchases due to high prices and available alternative supplies.
US natural gas production and consumption are expected to reach record highs in 2025, before slightly declining the following year, according to the latest forecasts from the US Energy Information Administration.