Hidroelectrica, the largest producer of green electricity in Romania, today signed the order to start the renovation works of HPP Vidraru, a project of strategic importance for the National Energy System (SEN). The signing ceremony took place at HPP (CHE) Vidraru, a symbol of Romanian engineering and technological excellence.
The contract, awarded by the Association formed by Electromontaj, Koncar – Engineering Co. Ltd. and Butan Grup, has a value of 188,382,021 euros. This major investment will bring state-of-the-art technologies and innovative solutions to modernize and optimize the operation of Vidraru HPP, contributing significantly to the stability and efficiency of the national energy network.
The objectives of the refurbishment are: increasing the active power of each hydro aggregate from 55 MW to a minimum of 58.8 MW, while maintaining the maximum discharged flow of 22.5 mc/s per aggregate (respectively 90 mc/s total plant); increasing the yields of hydro aggregates and implicitly the overall yield of the development; increase in performance and return on investment above the initial level; increasing the reliability, availability and safety in operation for all the Equipment and installations, but also ensuring the volume and quality of the system services provided by CHE; the introduction of a system that allows centralized monitoring and command from DHA/DEN, thus achieving the prerequisites for the flexibility of monitoring the operation of CHP; preparation of the equipment and installations of the Vidraru CHP and the other objects of the development for a new operating cycle.
The event was attended by high-ranking representatives of the Government: Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu and Minister of Energy Sebastian Burduja, His Excellency – Marija Kapitanovic – Croatian Ambassador to Romania. Hidroelectrica was represented by Karoly Borbely, CEO, together with the other members of the Directorate, members of the team that managed the project as well as the Electromontaj contractors were also present at the event.
Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu and Energy Minister Sebastian Burduja emphasized the importance of this project for Romania’s energy future and expressed their support for initiatives that promote sustainability and energy efficiency.
“We are all looking at this impressive dam. I confess to you that I feel enormous pride in the past and total confidence in the future. I look to the future with confidence because never in its modern history has Romania invested and built at a more sustained rate than now. There are tens of billions of euros invested in everything that means critical infrastructure – transport, energy, health, IT, and today’s investment of over 200 million euros is one of the essential objectives for our energy system. This investment will allow us to modernize this masterpiece of Romanian engineering. I am convinced that if the investment of 1966 was amortized in 28 years, the one signed today will be recouped in a few years. /…/ I assure Hidroelectrica of the full support of the Romanian Government, we support any major investment in clean energy, because it is the best investment in the future of this country,” said the Prime Minister of Romania, Marcel Ciolacu.
“The upgrading of Vidraru CHPP will increase the production capacity of renewable energy and will have a positive impact on the entire national energy system. Most importantly, this investment will benefit us, all the citizens, as well as the business environment in Romania, through access to safe energy, at a fair price and as green as possible,” added the Minister of Energy, Sebastian Burduja.
“It is an honor to announce that, after 12 years, we are signing the first re-engineering contract at an electricity production plant. Carrying out this contract will be a challenge for everyone. The success of the listing is proof of Hidroelectrica’s progress. The most important objective of my mandate is the development of investment projects in the company’s core business, thus significantly extending the life of the equipment for green energy production. The renovation work will last seven years, during which we aim to achieve excellent performance. I assure you of my involvement and that of my colleagues. After 58 years of operation of one of the main hydroelectric plants that contribute significantly to the balancing of the national energy system, this project marks a new chapter of development and innovation. It is a responsibility that we undertake it with determination, in a time when the production of renewables brings challenges. We are happy to collaborate with Electromontaj, the leader of the consortium, and I invite you all to celebrate this moment,” also said Karoly Borbely, CEO of Hidroelectrica.