Romania sees hydroelectric project cost dispute and new wastewater treatment investment

A controversy has emerged over the Pașcani hydroelectric plant, a Hidroelectrica‑led project projected to generate 25.3 GWh annually with an installed capacity of about 9.4 MW. Critics point to a total cost exceeding 730 million lei and a procurement contract worth more than 95 million lei that was contested by rival consortia, including a firm linked to a convicted market‑manipulation businessman. The plant’s cost per unit of energy is described as five times higher than Hidroelectrica’s recently announced 46 MW solar project, which requires around 151 million lei.

In a separate development, Hidro Prahova S.A. signed a contract worth nearly 26 million lei to design and build a new wastewater‑treatment station for the communities of Șirna and Poienarii Burchii in Prahova County. The facility, to be constructed over the next two years, will meet EU standards, employ modern mechanical and biological treatment processes, and aim to improve local water quality and public health.

Both stories reflect ongoing infrastructure investments and procurement challenges within Romania’s water and energy sectors.