The Kazakh-Romanian Energy Investment Fund (FIEKR), through the Rompetrol Energy company, is in the final stage of the most important investment project of the mechanism – the Petromidia cogeneration plant. By the end of August, the investment of over 160 million dollars will be fully integrated with the Petromidia refinery and the National Energy System (SEN).
The latest progress was presented to the highest-level representatives of the two strategic partners within FIEKR, namely Bulat Zakirov, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the national oil and gas company of Kazakhstan – KazMunayGas (KMG), Erik Sagiyev, CEO of KMG International (Rompetrol) and Bogdan-Gruia Ivan, Minister of Energy.
“The cogeneration plant project is the result of many years of teamwork by engineers, designers and specialists from Romania, Kazakhstan and Turkey. It is one of the largest energy efficiency projects in the Dobrogea region in recent years and was implemented with the full support of the Romanian Ministry of Energy. The plant will reduce the energy dependence of the Petromidia refinery, optimize costs, ensure a reliable supply of electricity and steam and strengthen strategic control over energy supply within the KMG International (Rompetrol) Group,” said Bulat Zakirov, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of KazMunayGas.
In the period February – June 2025, commissioning and compliance tests of the two gas turbines were carried out, the measurement and control systems, natural gas and refinery gas supply systems were checked, and the steam systems were prepared for supply to Petromidia.
An important step was marked in March and April, when the two SGT-750 turbines were synchronized with the national energy system in all operating configurations and the actual production of electricity began. Since the beginning of the tests until now, over 11,000 MWh have already been produced, directed to the Petromidia refinery and to the National Electricity System.
From the beginning of July, the plant will have the capability to supply both electricity and steam to Rompetrol Rafinare, as a result of the start of steam production in the recovery boilers.
By the end of August, full performance tests will be carried out, certifications and authorizations from the relevant authorities will be obtained, and at the end, the acceptance of the works will be marked. At this time, the plant is operated by a mixed team formed by representatives of the contractor and from the companies that supplied the main equipment (gas turbines, boilers, control rooms, etc.).
The plant will generate almost 80 MWh, of which the energy needs of the Petromidia platform (60–70 MWh) will be fully covered, as well as technological steam of up to 180 tons/hour, corresponding to the maximum consumption needs. The surplus electricity will be directed to the National Energy System.
The most important installed equipment, the SGT-750 turbines, use gaseous fuel (mixture of natural gas and refinery gas), with a feedstock heating rate of 9,120 kJ/kWh, and generate approximately 39 MWh of electricity each.
The new cogeneration plant will significantly support the operational processes of the Petromidia refinery, as well as its financial results. At the same time, it will play a major role in balancing the production and distribution of electricity in the Dobrogea region, by ensuring the energy needs of the platform, but also by injecting surplus electricity into the national system.
The Kazakh-Romanian Energy Investment Fund was established in October 2018 by KMG International (80%) and the Energy Share Management Company (20%), its main and strategic objective being the development of energy projects in Romania.