Delgaz Grid, the distribution company within the German E.ON Group, last year invested 457 million lei mainly for the modernization of the electricity and natural gas distribution networks, a similar value being planned for this year, the company announced.
For the electricity division, the value of investments was of about 242 million lei. Modernization works were carried out in 61 transformer stations, another 4 being integrated in SCADA (data acquisition and remote control). The electricity network was modernized over a length of over 450 km, including the installation of over 1,100 remote-controlled equipment. 106 transformation stations were modernized and 36 units were integrated in SCADA. At the same time, the electricity network was extended by about 340 km to connect new consumers. As a result of the investments made, the visible results have already been obtained, while the main quality indicators, especially those related to ensuring the continuity of the distribution service, have improved from year to year.
In the case of the gas segment, over 215 million lei were invested, the distribution system being rehabilitated and modernized on a length of about 340 km. At the same time, the network was expanded by over 170 km to connect new customers.
For the current year, the investment budget is approximately at the same level as last year, respectively about 456 million lei. Specifically, in 2020, 249 million lei will be invested in electricity, mainly for the further implementation of SCADA and automation of the distribution system, SMART metering, modernization of overhead networks and substations, replacement of transformers and for the connection of new consumers.
On the natural gas side, investments of 207 million lei are envisaged, the main objective being the modernization of over 350 km of pipelines and connections. At the same time, in recent years, a number of about 320,000 smart meters have been installed at consumers, through successive investment programs worth approximately 130 million lei. For 2019-2028 the company’s goal is to install about 397,000 meters, the value of investments being of about 126.5 million lei. This means that over 700,000 customers, representing 50% of the total customers connected to the company’s electricity network, will have smart meters installed by the end of 2028.
“Modernizing and digitalizing networks remain our priorities in the next period. We are considering investments of 1.9 billion lei by 2023. Of this amount, 1,065 million lei are for the modernization of the electricity network, and 836 million lei for the natural gas network,” said Csulak Ferenc, General Manager of Delgaz Grid.
Under the investment programs in SCADA, 118 substations in Moldova, out of a total of 133, have already been (totally or partially) integrated into the system. This year will be completed a program that aims to modernize and fully integrate 13 substations, the value of investments being of 12.5 million lei. In addition, two projects with European financing are currently being implemented, through which another 8 transformation stations will be modernized and fully integrated in SCADA, the value of the investments being 47 million lei. In the urban environment, 230 transformation stations will be integrated in the SCADA system until 2023, over 70 million lei being provided in the budget for this purpose.