11 companies from four countries show interest in purchasing Mintia power plant

As many as 11 companies from four countries have shown interest in purchasing the Mintia power plant, the electricity producer being to be put up for sale, through public auction, on July 15, at a price of 91.23 million euros."We have potential buyers, with whom we signed confidentiality agreements. There are 11 companies from Romania and abroad (Korea, Jordan, Canada, ed. n). Obviously that we will invite everyone and we will let them know about the auction date. We are also waiting on offers from other companies," the judicial administrator for the Hunedoara Energy Complex (CEH), Emil Gros, associate coordinator of Expert Insolventa SPRL declared on Tuesday.The applicants will have to submit a 10 million euros guarantee. The price difference must be paid within 120 days since the auction adjudication.On the other hand, the future owner of the power plant is obligated to build a new energy capacity of 800 MWh in the band, on methane gas and renewable energy, until the end of 2026."We have foreseen, following the request of the Ministry of Energy, as an obligation from the investor's side, to put in place, to build a new power plant on methane gas and renewable energy. That is the distinction, that it is not bankrupt or in a usual insolvency sale, where they are looking for a buyer, our intention here, as well as the state's, is to find an investor," the judicial administrator specified.The Mintia power plant will be sold in bulk on July 16, the public auction's starting price being 91.23 million euros, without VAT, the Hunedoara Prefecture announced on Monday.In the event in which the asset will not be sold, the auction will be resumed on July 29, 2022, then on August 12, 2022, and later on August 26, 2022, in the same price and location conditions.The activity of Mintia power plant was stopped in March 2021 for not having coal anymore, and the staff was laid off. The power plant is part of CEH and owns land with a surface of 329.8 hectares, constructions, movable assets and equipment.   The tender registration documentation must be submitted electronically at least 72 hours (3 working days) before the auction date / time. The capitalization conditions of this asset were approved by the meeting of SCEH SA creditors during the meeting convened by the judicial administrator on May 20, 2022.   Regarding the importance of the energy field and the impact that such an investment will have for the entire community in the area and for the National Energy System, the shareholder, the Ministry of Energy, imposed certain conditions on the buyer, such as achieving a new 800Mwh energy capacity in gas methane and renewable energy until the end of 2026. In order to comply with the imposed conditions, the specifications provide for a series of sanctions, up to the cancellation of the sale and the payment of damages. B   By taking this measure, it will be possible to implement the necessary steps to stop pollution with sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and dust, and to adapt the Mintia Thermal Power Plant to the new European standards that aim to move from electricity generation to coal base from renewable sources.   The Mintia thermal power plant is composed of land (3,297,807 sqm) and constructions, as well as movable goods and related equipment.   Mintia Thermal Power Plant is located in southwestern Transylvania, on the banks of the Mures River, 9 km away from the city of Deva. The plant currently has 5 energy groups for the production of electricity and heat, powered by steam boilers of 660 t / h, 13.72 MPa, 550 ° C. Each block is an independent unit and has a capacity of 1,075 MW (4 * 210 MW + 1 * 235 MW). The electricity produced was delivered to the national system through an interconnection station – Mintia of 110kV220 kV and 400 kV.   The plant was put into operation in 3 stages: 1969 – 1971 (stage 4 × 210 MW), 1977 – group 5 and 1980 – group 6 of 210 MW each. Group 3 was upgraded in 2009 to 235 MW. From its commissioning until the end of 2011, the Mintia thermal power plant delivered 204 TWh of the electricity needed by Romania and consumed 117 million tons of coal. With a history of over 50 years, the Mintia Thermal Power Plant was shut down last March.