Romanian state-owned hydropower giant Hidroelectrica has officially launched the bidding for the remaining projects of the Nehoia ș u 2 hydropower station, pressing the accelerator button for energy development in the Buzeu River basin. This turnkey contract with a budget of 49.5 million euros not only targets a 55 MW installed capacity, but is also seen as a key puzzle for the country to achieve energy independence and green transformation. The deadline for project bidding is set for October 13, 2026, with a construction period of 44 months, leaving a tight and clear window for contractors.

Cascade development locks in energy increment

As a core component of the Surduc Siriu complex investment plan, the Nehoia ș u 2 power station has completed 85% of its construction progress and is currently in the final sprint stage. The scope of this bidding includes the design and supply of mechanical and electrical equipment, the expansion of 110 kV substations, and software protection systems, as well as personnel training. According to the plan, the power station will be equipped with a 55 MW mixed flow water turbine, with an estimated annual power generation of 152 million kilowatt hours after commissioning.

The strategic value of this project lies in its networking effect. After completion, Nehoia ș u 2 will form a cascade development cluster with existing power stations along the Buzeu River, increasing the total installed capacity of the basin to approximately 76.5 megawatts. This cascade development model can greatly optimize water resource utilization efficiency, smooth out runoff fluctuations, provide stable base load power support for the Romanian power grid, and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

Environmental protection red line tightens construction boundary

However, the progress of the project is not without obstacles. On the same day of the bidding, the environmental approval draft issued by the Romanian Ministry of Environment sent a signal of regulatory tightening. Compared to the initial proposal, the new regulations impose stricter requirements on the ecological flow guarantee downstream of Surduc Dam, mandating the maintenance of the ecological base flow in the B â sca Mare section. In addition, the regulatory authorities also require the commission of special research to evaluate the impact of the project on local residents' water rights and formulate safeguard measures. Keywords: international news, hydropower station

This change means that the winning bidder must incorporate ecological restoration and water resource protection into the core construction plan while catching up with the 44 month construction period. For Hidroelectrica, this is both a compliance challenge and an opportunity to showcase its ability to execute large-scale infrastructure projects under complex environmental standards to the market. Driven by both the EU Green Deal and local energy demand, the Nehoia 2 project is attempting to find a new balance between project progress and ecological bottom line.Editor/Cheng Liting