Transelectrica Commissions First STATCOM Reactive Power Compensation System

Following the successful completion of technical tests, Transelectrica has commissioned the first STATCOM (Static Synchronous Compensator) system in the Power Transmission Grid (PTG) at the 400/220/110/20 kV Sibiu Sud substation.

The investment is part of a major project financed by the Modernization Fund, namely the installation of two modern reactive power compensation devices in the Sibiu Sud and Bradu substations and marks an essential step towards the modernization of Romania’s energy infrastructure and the operational safety of the National Power System (NPS).

The STATCOM system at Sibiu South Substation, already in operation and available to the National Power Dispatch Center, represents the first part of the project to install two modern reactive power compensation systems at Sibiu South and Bradu substations. Completion of work on the 400/220/110/20 kV Bradu substation is estimated for the first half of 2026, ahead of the contractual deadline.

The total value of the project is RON 260 million, of which RON 254 million is provided by the Modernization Fund. The work is being carried out by the Siemens Energy – Electromontaj consortium, with a contractual implementation deadline of August 2026. The investment is one of Transelectrica’s 11 projects financed by grants from the Modernization Fund.

 

Importance of modern reactive energy compensation methods

STATCOM is an advanced technology that stabilizes grid voltage and directly contributes to increasing the reliability of electricity supply for household and industrial consumers. Its implementation strengthens the NPS ability to integrate increasing volumes of renewable energy and respond flexibly to rapid load variations.

The STATCOM system provides:

• Dynamic and continuous voltage regulation in the grid node
• Permanent reactive power compensation
• Increased voltage stability in normal and fault conditions
• Increased flexibility of the NPS with an increased share of renewable energy
• Damping of interzonal voltage oscillations occurring at the ENTSO-E interconnection.

This investment has a direct impact on national energy security by increasing transmission capacity, reducing the risks of instability, and optimizing grid operation in situations of congestion, unforeseen events, or rapid changes in consumption.

At the same time, the project contributes to Romania’s objectives of modernizing its energy infrastructure, increasing the resilience of the transmission grid, and facilitating the accelerated integration of renewable sources into the NPS.

The investments implemented by Transelectrica in the Power Transmission Grid, with funding from the Modernization Fund, are investments for the stability and sustainability of Romania’s Energy System, through the construction of a more flexible grid that is prepared for the challenges of the energy transition.

Transelectrica reaffirms its commitment to transforming financing and modernization opportunities into sustainable investments for Romania, which strengthens the role of the transmission and system operator as a guarantor of stability and security of the National Power System.

Several key institutions contributed to this investment, which is essential for the operational safety of the National Power System:

• The National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest, whose professors at the Faculty of Energy have prepared and instilled the use of modern technologies that utilize power electronics
• The National Energy Regulatory Authority, which supported the implementation of these technologies
• The Ministry of Energy, which identified and approved the source of funding from European funds to support the development of modern technologies.