Romanian Brazi Power Plant resumes operation after being shut down by the state
Romanian energy company OMV Petrom is majority owned by Austrian OMV. Its 860 MW, gas-fired Brazi Power Plant has resumed operation after being forced to close due to water restrictions in the Paltinu Dam, which it relies on.
According to the company, Brazi's power plant will soon be operating at full capacity. The plant supplies about 10% of the electricity in the country.
The Energy Ministry said that 300 MW had been reconnected with the national grid.
The plant was operating at a reduced capacity since November 30, and shut down completely on Tuesday. This forced the Energy Ministry to look for alternative sources of power, mostly hydroelectric and lignite fueled plants.
The country, however, was a net electricity exporter on Friday. This was due to the increased production of hydro and wind turbines.
Approximately 100,000 people in two counties are now without water because Romanian authorities have cut off the Paltinu Dam due to concerns about water quality.
The water level in the dam was lowered to allow for critical repairs, but rainwater clogged the remaining reserves and made it impossible to purify or filter the water.
In the interim, officials have been supplying water rations to households and institutions.
The dam problem has reignited tensions within the four-party coalition that governs.
Diana Buzoianu, the Romanian Minister of Environment, has stated that the Romanian National Water Agency and the local water company they control have failed to alert the Ministry and the public to the risks of supply despite being aware of them. (Reporting and editing by Luiza Ili; Kirby Donovan, Editor)
(source: Reuters)
