E-Distribuție Muntenia invested approx. 6 million lei for the modernization of the medium and low voltage networks in Cotroceni area, with the purpose to improve the quality of the electricity distribution service for almost 5,000 customers. Within the modernization project, three major works have been carried out, which resulted in the replacement of medium and low voltage cables on a distance of 41 kilometres.
The first stage of the project consisted of modernization works on Portocalelor street, and resulted in the replacement of the medium voltage cables on a length of approximately 0.5 kilometres and of the low voltage distribution and lighting cables with length of 2 kilometres.
The modernisation plan continued with major works on Splaiul Independenţei, Dr. Brandza, Dr. Giulini, Dr. Severeanu, Intrarea Severeanu, Dr. Ernest Djuvara streets and Şos. Cotroceni, where medium voltage cables have been modernised on a length of approximately 14 kilometres, and low voltage distribution and lighting cables have been replaced on a distance of 5.5 kilometres.
Modernisation works in the area of Splaiul Independenţei, Şos. Cotroceni, Dr. Bucliu, Zării, Dr. Leonte Anastasevici, Dr. Turnescu, Gheorghe Marinescu, Dr. Radovici, Bd. Eroii Sanitari and Intrarea Stoenescu streets have also been completed. Following these works, 11 kilometres of medium voltage cables and approximately 8 kilometres of low voltage cables have been replaced.
These works are an important step in the modernisation of the electricity grid in Cotroceni area, as in addition to the replacement of the cables with modern ones, the network and network equipment have been prepared for the future switch to 20 kV voltage, compared to the current voltage of 10 kV, which will improve the safety in power supply to customers, by ensuring increased grid capacity, lower technological losses, and the ability to connect new consumers to the grid.
The project of switching this area of the distribution network to 20 kV is correlated with the modernization of Cotroceni high-to-medium voltage primary station project, totaling 18 million lei, which was started in 2016 and is scheduled to be completed next year. In the next stage of modernization, a new 20 kV primary station will be developed which will supplied by two new 110/20 kV transformers with a power of 25 MVA, while the total capacity of the station will be upgraded from 80 MVA to 130 MVA.
The project is part of an extensive modernization programme carried out by the Enel companies in Romania which aims at securing a proper service to end users, enhancing the quality and security of the grid as well as complying with Enel’s environmental standards.