Traselectrica is Romania’s power grid operator, while Transgaz operates the country’s natural gas transmission system.
In its rationale for the move, the government said the change in administrative authority was required for the planned construction of an underwater electric cable between Romania and Turkey and for connecting the local power grid to Moldova’s national system, the people familiar with the situation told Mediafax.
Prime Minister Victor Ponta said later Friday that the measure was necessary because the finance ministry, as regulatory authority of the country’s new royalties system, would no longer be able to manage the two companies.
Romania owns 58.69% in Transelectrica and 73.51% in Transgaz.
The two companies have been administered by the finance ministry since March 2013. Previously, they were part of the economy ministry’s portfolio.
The government also approved the transfer of the State’s Domains Agency, or ADS, to the General Secretariat from the agriculture minister.