Transelectrica Marks 70 Years of Uninterrupted Operation of the National Power Dispatch Centre

The National Power Grid Company Transelectrica marks 70 years since it ensured its first shift on June 13, 1955, within the National Power Dispatch Centre (DEN) – the key structure that ensures, in real time, the safe operation of the national power system and its coordination within the European interconnected grid.

The anniversary was celebrated with an event that brought together government officials, officials from the energy regulatory authority, members of Parliament, leaders of other operators in the energy system, as well as current and former employees of the National Energy Dispatch Centre.

The anniversary event was attended by members of the Company’s Management Board, members of the Supervisory Board, Rares Stelian Rusu and Dumitru Virgil Orlandea, Energy Minister Sebastian Burduja, ANRE President George Niculescu, as well as the chairmen of the relevant committees of the Romanian Parliament, namely the President of the Industry and Services Committee of the Chamber of Deputies, Bende Sándor, and the President of the Energy, Energy Infrastructure, and Mineral Resources Committee of the Senate, Antal István-Loránt.

The National Energy Dispatch Centre has had an impressive evolution over time. On February 1, 1955, the National Energy Dispatch Centre was established, initially under the name of the National Dispatch Service.

On the initiative of the technical managers and dispatchers who contributed to the establishment of the National Power Dispatch Centre, on June 13, 1955, the first shift was ensured, which is also the official date of birth of DEN. This moment laid the foundation for the subsequent development and transformation of the National Power System’s management.

Thus, June 13, 1955, marks the starting point for the subsequent transformations and development of the management of the National Power System (SEN). The establishment of the National Power Dispatch Centre on June 13, 1955, was required by the interconnection of the regional power systems of Transylvania and Moldavia in 1954.

“I feel truly honoured to be Energy Minister at a time when we are marking 70 years since the establishment of the National Power Dispatch Centre. It is, without exaggeration, one of the most important institutions in the Romanian energy system. DEN is a strategic node that ensures, every second of every day, the safe operation of the National Energy Sector. From 1955 to the present day, engineers and specialists at the Dispatch Centre have continuously monitored production and consumption to avoid serious problems, intervened at critical moments, managed crises, and kept Romania in sync with the European grid. Their work is not visible, but without it, nothing would work properly 2/2 at the level of the National Energy Sector. On behalf of the Ministry of Energy and the Romanian Government, I would like to thank everyone who works or has worked in this elite institution. Professionals of the highest level, whose rigor, responsibility and dedication are an example,” Energy Minister Sebastian Burduja said.

“The 70th anniversary of the National Power Dispatch Centre is not just a festive moment, but a tribute to all those who, through their competence and dedication, ensure the safe operation of the National Power System and Romania’s energy security every day. The Energy Dispatch Centre is the heart of the system – no stop, no pause, no interruption. We are grateful to all those who have made and continue to make the heart beat and bring light to Romania! Happy anniversary, National Power Dispatch Center!” Transelectrica CEO Stefanita Munteanu added.

“This anniversary is first and foremost about people. About those who, day after day, watch over Romania’s energy balance with responsibility and professionalism. Every one of our colleagues working in the National Power Dispatch Centre is a unique and important part of a system that can do no wrong. 70 years means generations of specialists who have contributed, through silent but essential work, to the country’s energy stability and security. We owe our beginnings to them – the pioneers who laid the first brick. To you – to those who carry this mission forward, we owe you continuity and confidence in the future. Happy anniversary!” said Virgiliu Ivan, Director of the National Power Dispatch Centre, Transelectrica.

The energy system is a complex entity that constantly requires the efforts and attention of all professionals responsible for its proper functioning. In an age when technology makes our lives so much simpler, electricity should be available every second.

For seven decades, Transelectrica’s National Power Dispatch Centre has been the operational centre that monitors and balances, moment by moment, the production and consumption of electricity in Romania. It is a strategic mission undertaken with professionalism and rigor by generations of dispatchers who, silently but with enormous responsibility, have continuously ensured the smooth operation of the energy infrastructure.

Over the past 70 years, the Power Dispatch Centre has undergone numerous essential transformations: from the beginnings of operational centralization to system automation, IT infrastructure modernization and integration into the European ENTSO-E network, to real-time management of the most complex and challenging energy situations. These steps have strengthened the role of DEN as the guarantor of balance and stability in Romania’s electricity supply.

 

About Transelectrica

Transelectrica is the sole electricity transmission and system operator in Romania, a company of strategic national interest responsible for managing the power transmission grid and ensuring the safe and stable operation of the National Power System.