The investment in the three compressor units reaches RON288 million, VAT excluded.
The contract on the construction of the three gas compressor stations was awarded to a consortium comprising Romanian companies led by INSPET SA Ploiesti.
Each station will be equipped with two compressor units (one active and one redundant) and will have the technical capability to enable bidirectional gas flows.
”The project’s strategic relevance had a say in the EU’s decision to get engaged in the funding of the FEED for the three compressor stations, by a grant amounting to EUR1,519,342 which represents 50% of the estimated eligible costs,” Transgaz said in a statement.
Besides the construction of the three gas compressor stations, BRUA Phase 1 entails the construction of the 479 km-long gas transmission pipeline Podisor-Recas (32”(Dn 800) and 63 bar).
The total estimated costs related to Phase 1 amount to EUR478.6 million. The European Union covers EUR179.3 million through a second grant representing 40% of the estimated eligible costs.
Upon the completion of phase 1, the following gas flows will be ensured: – to Hungary, by the interconnection Horia-Csanadpalota, 1.75 bcma (200 thousand cm/h), 40 bar border pressure – to Bulgaria, by the interconnection Ruse-Giurgiu, 1.5 bcma (171 thousand cm/h), 30 bar border pressure. The estimated completion date is December 31, 2019.
“The construction of the BRUA Phase 1 infrastructure will have a massive contribution to the increase in the energy security of Romania and will open up new opportunities for getting energy equipment and service providers involved. 2 BRUA Phase 1 project will facilitate the creation of new jobs as far as the construction works and the operations on the Romanian territory are concerned. The investment made in the three gas compressor stations provides further proof of the company’s capacity to develop ambitious strategic investment projects ensuring the sustainable development of the National Gas Transmission System and its alignment with the EU performance and competitiveness standards,” said Transgaz general manager Ion Sterian.
BRUA Phase 1 is deemed a regional priority project. It is included in the CESEC (Central East South Europe Gas Connectivity) list to play a significant role in the increase in the security of gas supply and regional interconnectivity.