Meanwhile, major energy distributors like Engie and E.ON are making tens of millions of euros in profits.
Romania’s natural gas pipeline network only increased by 4,000 kilometers in 2011-2016 to a total length of almost 39,700 kilometers, National statistics Institute data show. Figures show that it expanded by an average of 800 kilometers a year.
The largest natural gas distributors, Germany’s E.ON and France’s Engie do not expand their networks despite making tens of millions of euros a year in profits.
Distrigaz Sud (Engie) made 123 million lei (EUR30 million) profit in 2017, while revenue stood at RON1.2 billion, which accounts for a net profit margin of 10%.
E.ON posted RON202 million profit in 2017, while revenue stood at RON1.5 billion, which means the net profit margin amounted to 14%.
In, all, including the transmission network, Romania has some 50,000 kilometers of gas ducts, while Hungary has 100,000 kilometers. Hungary has no natural gas, though and imports 98% of what it needs from Russia.
The leading county by pipeline expansion is Iasi, which has 1,260 kilometers of gas ducts and a population of about 770,000 people. It added 392.9 kilometers of pipeline in 2011-2016.
(English version by Loredana Fratila-Cristescu)