European energy regulations stipulate that, in the event of a blackout, the electricity supply to all consumers can be resumed within a maximum of 6 hours, and the National Energy Dispatcher (DEN) within Transelectrica can do so, said Virgiliu Ivan, director of DEN.

He explained that Romania operates interconnected, at European level, in an energy infrastructure that includes 34 countries and 41 transmission and system operators.

“Up to 600,000 MW is recorded at the peak of consumption during the most difficult periods. So 2,000 – 3,000 MW that could be imported by one or two countries does not represent much,” Ivan said at the Focus Energetic conference, according to Agerpres.

“We must also know that, at European level, in this system the main aspect we pursue is that of solidarity. It is very important that we are part of this interconnected system, ENTSO-E, and a problem is solved by the participation of all to others, it is an obligation,” the DEN representative added.

In 2015, European regulations began to be issued for the operation of transmission and system operators. It has moved from operating manuals to European regulations of a legal nature that are implemented by all European countries.

“So the activity of preventing such situations is taken very seriously. In case of blackout, the regulations stipulate that the restart time of the power supply should be a maximum of 6 hours, so we are not talking about power interruptions that affect the population of Europe for days. If such an event happens, we have the capability to restart in 6 hours, so we are not talking about days,” Ivan said.

He explained that a blackout means that at least half of the consumers of the energy system remain without power supply.