Grid and Investments
We constantly invest in the power grid in our custody in Bucharest and in ten counties in the country. Digitalization is our priority for resilient grids. Our programs directly impact upon the capacity of the grid to supply ever new customers, as well as on the reduction of the duration of outages, to only recall a few benefits.
What is the power grid made up of? Well, the power grid comprises high and medium voltage transformer posts (HV/MV), medium and low substations (MV/HV), supply points, overhead and underground LV, MV, MV power lines, induction and electronic meters, metering and protection blocks to only mention a few of the grid components. The grids managed by the three Rețele Electrice companies comprise 286 transformer substations and 24.315 transformer posts, totaling over 22.000 MVA overall power and distributing around 15 TWh electricity every year, through more than 133,000 kilometers of high, medium and low voltage power lines.
Modernization programmes to the benefit of the power grid and of the consumers
We constantly carry out investment programmes for the modernization of the infrastructure, because our goal is to continuously enhance the quality of the distribution service. See below the amounts recently invested by each of our companies and our current plans. See here the news about our investments.
We continue the modernization of the transformer substations, through their introduction in the Remote Control system and through the replacement of the power transformers and of other pieces of equipment. We also modernize the power grid through the replacement of power lines, the installation of smart meters or the video surveillance of the stations, in order to mitigate risks.
The Remote Control System is a state-of-the-art technology allowing the remote control of the switch-off and maneuver devices on the power grid. Through the implementation of this technology, we considerably lower the duration of power outages and the fault remedy time, because there no longer is a need for the intervention teams to go on site.
The smart metering system is yet another reason of pride for us. We have the largest number of smart meters installed in Romania, and in the future we will mount such meters to cover all our customers’ needs, according to the ANRE-approved schedules. We install modern smart meters not only in the urban, but also in the rural areas.
The meters are but an element of the smart metering system available on the revamped grids – the system further includes the data concentrators, which collect the information from the meters and are connected to the transformer posts. The data collected by the smart meters allow for detailed grid analyses and offer a strategic advantage when we take into account areas or grid segments that register performance below the accepted quality. Thus, we maximize the positive impact of the investments.
Smart meters help protect consumers against overvoltage. A meter that actively communicates to the central system can provide valuable information regarding the position, the type and the magnitude of possible grid incidents, reducing the intervention time and the discomfort caused to customers, because some investments can be made remotely. Find out more about the benefits of these smart meters.
Video surveillance centers
For the security of our companies’ infrastructure, we have made specific investments meant to secure power stations, transformer posts, operational units, warehouses. We have installed anti-theft, fire and/or access control CCTV surveillance systems and we take over their signals onto IT platforms. Hence, in 2016 we have established three video surveillance centers in Bucharest, Constanta and Timisoara, through which we ensure the 24h/24h viewing of more than 1,500 video cameras – this system are the dispatchers’ “remote eyes” and help them make the rights decisions timely, even if it’s day or night, during the week or on weekends.
How do centers help us provide you with better services? They discourage the destruction of equipment or the equipment theft, they prevent the unauthorized access to dangerous areas, alert the intervention teams in the case of short-circuits, faults, overvoltage and shorten the intervention time, monitor maneuvers, guide the correct choice of the replacement equipment in the case of faults caused by storms, abundant snow and other such phenomena.
Technical specifications of our grids
You should know that the equipment and installations in the power plants are different for each grid operators, which is why anyone working on our grids requires specialized training. If you want to be our partner and you need the technical specifications of the equipment on our grids, you can request them through the contact form.
Elements of the grid operated by Rețele Electrice Banat
- 96 transformer substations
- 8,614 transformer posts
- 6,530 MVA power in substations and transformer posts
Investments (PIF) made between 2017 and 2021 from our own sources
Between 2017 and 2021, E-Distribuție Banat, the current Rețele Electrice Banat made investments out of its own sources amounting to over RON 958 million. Here are more details on our investments:
2021 Investment Plan
In 2020, our intention is to invest 219 million lei in the modernization and digitalization of electricity grids. Out of this amount, 25 million lei are planned for modernization works of high voltage lines and transformer stations, 38 million lei for the medium voltage lines and substations, and 23 million lei for modernization works and construction of low voltage lines. At the same time, we plan to replace the power lines and continue the implementation of the telecontrol systems. We will install smart meters for 56,730 customers in the counties of Arad, Caraș-Severin, Hunedoara, and Timiș.
Large projects include the refurbishment of the transformer station and the modernization of the medium voltage lines in Orăștie municipality, Hunedoara County. Also, we plan to modernize the Simeria transformer station, for an investment that exceeds 5 million lei, and have started the works for the construction of a new 110/20 kV transformer station in northern Timisoara. In the counties of Timiș, Arad, Hunedoara, and Caraș- Severin, the investments in new capacities, the extension of consumer grids, new connections, including those imposed by the primary legislation, reach 44 million lei.
Costs regarding the operation, maintenance and development of the power grids
Archive
Elements of the grid operated by Rețele Electrice Dobrogea
- 120 transformer substations
- 6,344 transformer posts
- 6.362 MVA power in transformer substations and posts
Investments (PIF) made between 2017 and 2021 from our own sources
Between 2017 and 2021, E-Distribuție Dobrogea, the current Rețele Electrice Dobrogea, made investments out of its own sources amounting to a total of RON 795 million. Here are more details on our investments:
2021 Investment Plan
In 2021, our intention is to invest 176 million lei in the modernization and digitalization of electricity grids. Out of this amount, 21 million lei are planned for modernization works of high voltage lines and transformer stations, 22 million lei for modernization works and construction of medium voltage lines and substations, and 35 million lei for the low voltage lines. Moreover, we will install 46,850 smart meters in the counties of Călărași, Constanța, Ialomița, and Tulcea.
In Constanța and Ialomița counties, we plan to modernize the Baba Novac and Slobozia Sud transformer stations, for the supply of electricity in good conditions to customers in Constanța and Slobozia localities; both 110kV / MT 25MVA power transformers at the Eforie Nord transformer station have been replaced with transformers with a higher power, of 40MVA, to ensure the connection to the grid of the new consumers in the South part of Constanța County. In Călărași County, works are being carried out to improve the low voltage lines, benefitting the consumers in Oltenița and Nicolae Balcescu.
Costs regarding the operation, maintenance and development of the power grids
Archive
Elements of the grid operated by Rețele Electrice Muntenia
- 70 transformer substations
- 9.357 transformer posts
- 9.138 MVA power in transformer substations and posts
Investments (PIF) made between 2017 and 2021 from our own sources
Between 2017 and 2021, E-Distribuție Muntenia, the current Rețele Electrice Muntenia, made investments out of its own sources amounting to almost RON 2 billion. Here are more details on our investments:
2021 Investment Plan
In 2021, our intention is to invest 483 million lei in the modernization and digitalization of the electricity grids. Of the total value, 95 million lei are planned for modernization works of high voltage lines and transformer stations, 70 million lei for modernization works and construction of medium voltage lines and substations, and 30 million lei for the low voltage lines. Also, we plan to install almost 104,300 smart meters in Bucharest, Giurgiu, and Ilfov counties.
In Bucharest, we are modernizing and introducing the telecontrol system at the Nord, Filaret, Obor, and Dudești transformer stations, for 34 million lei. Also, the low voltage lines in the Domenii area and the Toamnei - Eminescu neighborhood are being modernized, by fully replacing the medium and low voltage cables for a number of 10 streets. The investment amounts to about 6 million lei and comes to the support of 9,500 customers.
In Giurgiu County, in the localities of Toporu and Răsuceni, we are fully replacing the low voltage electricity grids with new insulated conductors and the outdated pillars while also installing smart meters. The estimated value of the works reaches 5.7 million lei, benefitting 1,850 customers. At the same time, in the localities of Găișeni and Florești Stoenești, works are scheduled to replace 9 kilometers of medium voltage electricity grid located on hard-to-reach lands and seven overhead substations. The estimated value of the works is 10.7 million lei, supporting 4,000 customers.
In Ilfov County, we are modernizing the low voltage network in the commune of Pipera and in the localities of Clinceni and Vidra; the works involve investments of about 20 million lei, benefitting 3,000 customers. At the same time, we are working on the modernization of the installations in the Pasajul Domnești area by relocating 7 kilometers of medium voltage overhead power grid with underground cable and replacing 4 overhead substations with new generation ones. The works ensure the supply of electricity in good conditions to 8,000 customers.
Costs regarding the operation, maintenance and development of the power grids[1]