Enel Romania launches EUR 90 mln telecontrol system for electricity distribution in Muntenia region

Enel Romania has launched today a new telecontrol centre that allows technicians in Bucharest, Ilfov and Giurgiu County the online control of primary stations and other components of the high and medium tension grids. This will contribute to a better management of disruptions in the electricity distribution to end consumers.

The implementation of this project started in 2009 and 14 stations are already modernized to allow online control. Another 19 stations are in the final stages of modernization. Around EUR 90 million have been spent up to now for the implementation of this system in Muntenia. Giurgiu and Ilfov County, the adjacent network to Bucharest, are using this system and works are under way to futher expand it in Bucharest. Baneasa is one of Bucharest’s areas that is already benefitting from the telecontrol system.

Luca D’Agnese, country manager of Enel Romania, stated that the bulk of the investment has been made and the final cost of this system will exceed EUR 100 million.

The Telecontrol system has already been implemented in Banat and Dobrogea, reducing interruptions in the distribution of electricity to consumers by 50 percent from 2007.

Giuseppe Fanizzi, distribution director for Enel Romania, explained the strategy for the modernization of the distribution network: “Today, from this center, we are controlling 14 stations, and another 19 will be rolled in during 2012-2013. The telecontrol system will allow us to supply electricity to consumers faster, reducing the period in which consumers don’t have access to power due to incidents in the distribution lines”.

Fanizzi added that Enel will continue investments in Romania and Muntenia and the company is already working at a plan with the Bucharest town hall for changing electricity cables in Romania’s capital.

D’Agnese also explained Enel’s investment plans in Romania: “Our investment plans in Romania, that we announced this year, provides investments of EUR 800 mln up to 2015, and we have already started to use the funds”. He adds that” 2011 has been in line with Enel’s forecasts and that the investment plan will continue.”

Ovidiu Posirca