A combined-cycle power plant in Brazi, Romania to be built for oil and gas producer Petrom S.A. will be the first application of GE Energy’s highly efficient Frame 9FB gas turbine in Romania, further expanding GE’s growing presence in the country.

This large turnkey project is a ‘first’ for GE Energy in the region, according to Rod Christie, region executive-Eastern Europe for GE Energy. “It underscores our commitment to supply advanced, reliable power generation equipment and services that will help our customers meet the region’s growing need for reliable sources of energy,” he said.

Romania is one of the fastest growing GE locations in Europe. “Our goal is to create growth by matching Romania’s potential with GE’s proven equipment and services, not only helping to increase customers’ competitiveness but also anticipating their needs and advancing the upgrade of infrastructure in the country,” noted Christie.

GE has been active in Romania since 1984, and today has more than 900 employees in the country, with businesses operating in the energy, aviation, healthcare, lighting and power protection, financial and real estate sectors. GE Energy has supplied equipment for a variety of power projects in Romania including nuclear, combined heat and power and industrial cogeneration applications.

The new combined-cycle plant would produce approximately 860 megawatts of power. Approximately 20 percent of the plant’s electricity output would be used by Petrom for its own operations, with the remainder sold on the Romanian power grid.

In addition to equipment supply, GE provides project management services and commissioning services, and acts as leader of the consortium. Metka, who specializes in the construction of energy projects supplies balance-of-plant equipment, engineering and construction services.

Based in Bucharest, Petrom is the largest Romanian oil and gas group, with activities in exploration and production, refining, petrochemicals and natural gas. Petrom is a member of the OMV Group of Austria, the leading oil and gas company in Central Europe. GE has a long-standing relationship with OMV and has provided the company with gas turbines, compressors and other oil and gas equipment over the years.

As you get to know Romanian people better, you will see that they are rather fond of eating and wish to honour their guests with generous and delicious meals. Romanian gastronomy has survived through the centuries due to its robust and simple structure. Over time it has been influenced by oriental and Slavonic cookery. Peasant farms produce all of the vegetables needed for cooking. In certain regions, the local people use corn to prepare mamaliga, a polenta which often replaces bread. One traditional dish is called “bulz” and is prepared with mamaliga, cheese and cream. In Transylvania vegetable soup with cream is popular though the bean soup tends to be the most appreciated. In Moldavia and Walachia soups are given a sour flavour through the addition of bors (borsht), a sour liquid  prepared in ceramic bowls that increases one’s appetite. In Bucovina, beet bors with cream is typical whereas in the Delta they serve fish bors prepared with several types of fish and spices.

One can find the traditional dish called “sarmale” in any part of the country. Sarmale are prepared with mincemea mixed with rice that is rolled in cabbage, grape, or lime leaves, giving them a very refined taste. They also can be prepared more simply where the meat stuffing is replaced by rice, muchrooms, nuts, and carrots. Cheese can be found in various varieties and cream is generously used in a lot of dishes. Of all the varieties of Romanian cheese the most unique and appreciated is “telemea”, a cheese that is specific to the Balkan region.

Oriental influences are more visible in Dobrogea and Walachia, where people eat meat balls and “mititei”, balsa sausage-like roll of spiced minced meat.

Traditionally Christmas is celebrated with the preparation of pork dishes and Easter with lamb dishes. Romanians love sweets, which is reflected in the large variety of pastry products, the most popular of which is “cozonac” which is a traditional cake. “Sarailie”, made from honey, nuts and pastry is exemplary of the oriental influence in Romanian desserts. Since Romanian’s topography is extremely varied, many vineyards can be found along many hill sides and a large variety of wines can be found.

Economic growth in Romania is outpacing the EU average, according to new statistics.

According to Eurostat, the eastern European country saw its gross domestic product go up by 8.2% during the first three months of this year.

This is more than three times the amount that was recorded across the EU as a whole during the same period.

In addition, the figure is also up from 6% in the first quarter of 2007, which was Romania’s first year as an EU member.

According to finance minister Varujan Vosganian, this trend has been driven by growth in the construction and service sectors.

This suggests that the growth of tourism and overseas property investment is having a positive impact on the Romanian economy.

Property in the eastern European country is currently in high demand.

This has led to supply being fairly restricted, which in turn has made available properties much more highly sought-after, thus increasing their prices.