Aurora: The Largest Power System Restoration Exercise in Romania
On November 22, 2025, seven energy entities, with the specialized support of the Special Telecommunications Service, carried out the largest restoration exercise of the National Power System. The cooperation between Transelectrica, Hidroelectrica, Distributie Energie Electrica Romania, Romgaz, Enevo Group, Nova Power & Gas and Eurowind Energy brought together, for the first time, classic technologies and modern solutions in a difficult scenario, which required quick decisions, impeccable coordination and synchronization.
The result demonstrated by the success of the exercise symbolically named ‘Aurora’ underlines the high-quality professional training and dedication of the operational teams, able to sustain the operation of a complex energy system even under extreme conditions.
More than a hundred technical and operational specialists from all entities involved participated in a unique exercise that simulated a total power blackout, in a scenario close to the real conditions of a major incident, which also makes public telecommunication networks unavailable. The restoration route started from the Sugag Hydropower Plant and integrated photovoltaic production, storage systems and a conventional thermal power group, on a route covering the central territory of Transylvania.
The operation was attended by the Secretary of State from the Ministry of Energy, Pavel Casian Nitulescu, as well as representatives from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of National Defence, the Romanian Intelligence Service, and the Special Telecommunications Service.
Under the coordination of the Transelectrica National Power Dispatch Centre, the technical teams worked in exemplary interoperability and synchronization, based on operational protocols. The Aurora exercise highlighted the resilience of the National Power System and the strength of the collaboration between its main actors.
The exercise, which was a major success for SEN specialists, was carried out for the first time through the cooperation of seven entities from the National Power System, namely Transelectrica, Hidroelectrica, Distributie Energie Electrica Romania (DEER), Romgaz, Enevo Group, Nova Power & Gas, and Eurowind Energy, with technical support from the Special Telecommunications Service. The scenario also involved limiting public communications, a common situation in real crisis conditions. Within this framework, the role of the special telecommunications systems provided by the Special Telecommunications Service is essential to the success of the restoration process.
The exercise at the Sugag Hydropower Plant concludes a series of tests initiated by Transelectrica, in partnership with Hidroelectrica, during this year, aimed at ensuring the technical and operational preparedness of the system for emergency situations. The action continues similar steps previously taken at Lotru HPP, Vidraru HPP, and Iron Gates I HPP.
In accordance with European regulations, as a member of the European interconnection network, based on European Regulation No. 2196/2017 on the network code for emergency and restoration situations, and national regulations, Transelectrica, as a transmission and system operator, is required to test annually some of the measures provided for in the Defence Plan and the Restoration Plan.
The protection and restoration of the National Power System are essential activities that enable the management of emergency situations and the return of the system to normal operation.
In a regional context where energy security is becoming increasingly important, these types of exercises contribute to strengthening rapid response capabilities, improving cross-border cooperation in Southeast Europe, and increasing the resilience of the national energy system.
Energy entities involved in the exercise
Transelectrica is the only transmission and system operator in Romania, playing a key role in the region’s electricity market, responsible for managing and operating the system, as well as ensuring electricity exchanges between Romania and the countries with which it is interconnected in Central and Eastern Europe, as a member of ENTSO-E. Transelectrica, a company listed on the Bucharest Stock Exchange, manages a power transmission grid consisting of 81 electrical substations and over 9,000 kilometres of high-voltage overhead lines. For the next 10 years, the company is managing a RON 9.4 billion grid development plan.
Hidroelectrica is the largest producer of electricity from renewable sources in Romania and one of the most important players in the energy sector in South-East Europe. With a portfolio of more than 6.3 GW of installed capacity in hydropower plants, together with the Crucea wind farm, the company contributes to national energy security and to achieving the decarbonization objectives set by the European Union policies.
Through its 2025-2030 investment plan, Hidroelectrica aims to fully modernize its hydropower infrastructure, develop new renewable capacities – hydro, solar, wind, storage – and strengthen its regional position as an integrated producer of green energy.
Distributie Energie Electrica Romania, part of the Electrica Group, is the largest national electricity distribution operator and a strategic player in the architecture of the National Energy System. Following the merger on January 1, 2021, of the three distribution companies (Societatea de Distributie a Energiei Electrice Transilvania Nord, Societatea de Distributie a Energiei Electrice Transilvania Sud and Societatea de Distributie a Energiei Electrice Muntenia Nord), the company Distributie Energie Electrica Romania was created, which currently serves 18 counties, representing 40.7% (97,196 km²) of Romania’s territory, with a network exceeding 200,000 km.
DEER operates in the counties: Alba, Bihor, Braila, Bistrita-Nasaud, Brasov, Buzau, Cluj, Covasna, Dambovita, Galati, Harghita, Maramures, Mures, Prahova, Satu Mare, Salaj, Sibiu, Vrancea, and reached the number of 4.000.000 users, thus becoming the distribution operator with the largest portfolio of users, at national level.
Romgaz, the largest producer and main supplier of natural gas in Romania, covers the entire natural gas technological chain: exploration, production, storage, well interventions and technological transportation. Since 2013, the company is also an electricity producer, with the takeover of the Iernut Thermal Power Plant. In 2022, Romgaz acquired 50% of the rights and obligations of the Neptun Deep offshore block in the Black Sea, consolidating its role in the development of strategic gas resources and increasing energy security. The company is listed on the Bucharest Stock Exchange, with the Romanian state holding 70% of the shares.
Enevo Group is a Romanian energy and automation company with projects in 12 countries and offices in Romania, Saudi Arabia, Spain and Germany. Founded in 2014, it offers solutions in renewables, transportation and distribution, automation and cybersecurity. With over 400 employees and solid technical expertise, the company works with Forbes 500 clients and aims to become a global player in green, digital and secure power grids.
Nova Power & Gas, part of the E-INFRA Group, is a 100% Romanian company, covering the entire energy chain: production, supply, distribution and major investments in infrastructure. With an annual production of over 550 GWh – of which over 350 GWh is renewable – Nova actively contributes to the energy transition by developing new capacities. In parallel, the company is strengthening its leading position in energy storage, operating 150 MW/240 MWh BESS. Nova supplies electricity and natural gas and develops essential projects for balancing the National Power Systems, coordinated through its own Energy Dispatch Centre.
Eurowind Energy is a Danish company specializing in the development, construction, and operation of renewable energy parks. Its portfolio includes projects in the fields of wind, solar, hydrogen, biogas, power-to-heat solutions, and battery storage. Active on the local market since 2011, Eurowind Energy Romania develops and operates renewable energy projects with a dedicated local team. The company’s portfolio includes four operational PV parks – Halchiu, Magurele, Pufesti and Teius – and a pipeline of about 7.5 GW in various stages of development. By the end of 2025, the company will reach an operational capacity of 124 MW in Romania.
The Special Telecommunications Service (STS) is a provider of secure IT&C services for Romanian state authorities. STS has complex, redundant, and resilient communications infrastructures that can provide efficient and secure solutions for interinstitutional communication and cooperation.
