Gas in over 80 municipalities and cities in Bihor, until 2030

The Vice President of Bihor County Council, Mircea Mălan, presented a strategy for the introduction and expansion of natural gas networks in more than 30 new municipalities in Bihor County by 2030. Thus, the number of administrative-territorial units with gas would be over 80 ( of 101 UATs).

“We talked to all interested mayors, regardless of political color, and we showed our intention to support them. We want to develop this project that will contribute to increasing the standard of living of Bihoren and to the economic development of our county. The municipalities and cities that have gas networks are becoming more attractive for investors”, said Mircea Mălan, vice-president of the Bihor County Council.

Currently (April 2024), in 22 communes and cities in Bihor county, natural gas networks are being built (that is, they have operating licenses), in 27 administrative-territorial units (UAT) the projects are being implemented, and the Council Bihor County plans to support another 33 cities and municipalities by 2030.

Bihor County Council is running a multi-year program from 2021 through which it financially and expertly supports UATs interested in the introduction or expansion of natural gas networks. The institution allocates one million euros every year through this program, which allows the support of 5 or 6 town halls. It is the only County Council in Romania that runs such a project.

“It is important to think of the network in the form of rings, so that communes and cities are connected to each other, to reduce the costs of connecting to Transgaz and so that the network can be much easier to exploit. Considering that wood is increasingly difficult to procure and it is unnatural to cut down forests, I am convinced that the best solution at our disposal is the natural gas network”, added Mircea Mălan.

The press conference was also attended by Mircea Lazăr, the general manager of Distrigaz Vest, one of the seven distribution operators in Bihor. He gave the example of the commune of Sânnicolau Român, where the network already put into operation attracted two big investors and continues to expand at the request of the citizens.

“The role of a distribution operator is to ensure operational safety. The way these rings have been thought about, when they are completed, the probability of leaving entire towns without gas is minimal. When these networks are completed, the comfort of homes and industry in the county will increase, because, from our point of view, industry cannot exist without gas”, explained Mircea Lazăr, general manager of Distrigaz West.

There are seven distribution operators in Bihor county: Delgaz, Distrigaz Vest, Premier Energy, Nova Power, Gaz Vest Arad and Salgaz.