Bogdan Tudorache

With the transition to 400 kV of the entire Banat Axis, from the Iron Gates to Arad, in the southwestern part of the country, it will be possible to install renewable energy production capacities of about 1,000 MW, representing around 15% of total production in the country, says Transelectrica.

The company is carrying out important works on the newly built section of line between the Iron Gates and Reșița, an essential stage for the 400 kV transition project of the entire Banat Axis, which will also close Romania’s 400 kV Ring.

“It is a very important work for the development of the electricity transmission system, for the closure of the ring in the southwestern part of Romania. Such an investment is important because after its completion we will be able to install renewable energy production capacities of about 1,000 MW. A new step is being taken in the process of our country to use as much green energy as possible,” said the Minister of Energy, Virgil Popescu, during a working visit.

“At the end of last year, Transelectrica proposed a development plan for the Electric Transmission Network (RET) for the next 10 years with an estimated value of about 5 billion lei. One of the central directions of development is to increase the capacity to integrate renewable energy, in safe conditions, and thus to achieve the national targets assumed at European level. In this strategy, the completion of the 400 kV Overhead Power Line – (Anina) – Resita has an essential role, both for the country’s energy security and for the local economy,” added Cătălin Nițu, President of CNTEE Transelectrica SA.

Part of the project to close the 400 kV Ring of Romania in the western area, the 400 kV Overhead Power Line Iron Gates – (Anina) – Resita is part of the objectives included in the list of projects of common interest at the level of the European Commission. The completion and operationalization of this section will significantly contribute both to the integration of energy from renewable sources (up to 500 MW), to increase the interconnection capacity with neighboring countries by about 300 MW, and to the connection of new consumers that can total about 500 MW.

The 400 kV Iron Gates Overhead Power Line – (Anina) – Resita represents an investment of over 122 million lei.