Bucharest mayor Gabriela Firea said yesterday that she wanted to initiate a project for completing the Bucharest-Danube channel, which would turn Bucharest into a Danube port.

She said that a few hydro power plants could also be built along the new channel. The investment would amount to EUR 1.5-1.7 billion.

“I don’t know how many know that some 70% of this channel was completed before the Revolution. This project will not only have the benefit of a waterway that would connect Bucharest to the Black Sea, but on this watercourse, with a length of 70 kilometers, we could also install a few hydro power plants to produce energy,” Firea said.

The difference between Bucharest and the Danube level is 53 meters, which would allow to use the falling water to produce energy, she added.

“This project would need a EU financing of EUR 1.5-1.7 billion,” said Firea.

editor@romania-insider.com