Transelectrica Exercise: Restoration of NPS from Iron Gates I HPP with Supply from the Djerdap I HPP

On April 8, 2025, almost 100 technical specialists and dispatchers from the national power system, from Transelectrica, Hidroelectrica, OMV Petrom, Romgaz, CE Oltenia, Cernavoda NPP, DEER, PPC Retele Electrice, Distributie Energie Oltenia, Delgaz Grid, Nova Power & Gas and Monsson, carried out an exercise to restore the National Power System (NPS) from the Iron Gates I Hydropower Plant, with supply from the Serbian system.

Owners of large-scale storage facilities were also invited to participate in the restoration action, since more and more renewable energy is integrated into the system, the role of storage becoming increasingly important for system security.

The exercise organized at the Iron Gates I Hydropower Plant involved the start-up of a group with power supply from Serbia, from the Djerdap I hydropower plant, and involved dispatchers from Transelectrica – NPD (National Power Dispatcher), Hidroelectrica – Iron Gates I hydropower plant and the National Energy Dispatching Centre of Serbia.

Throughout the exercise, the power plants behaved as designed and expected and the action was successful.

We note that the NPS restoration actions are organized as a result of the legal obligations that Transelectrica has as Transmission and System Operator, member of the European interconnected grid, in accordance with the provisions of European Regulation 2196/2017.

Also, another objective of such exercises is to train and prepare the operational and technical staff of the entities within the National Electricity System, a task under the responsibility of Transelectrica.

Defence and restoration are essential activities to manage emergencies and restore the system to normal operation.

Transelectrica is the Romanian Transmission and System Operator (TSO), which plays a key role in the Romanian electricity market.

The company manages and operates the electricity transmission system and provides the electricity exchanges between the central and eastern European countries as an ENTSO-E (European Network of Transmission and System Operators for Electricity) member.

Transelectrica is responsible for electricity transmission, system and market operation, grid and market infrastructure development, ensuring the security of the Romanian power system. It also serves as the main link between electricity supply and demand, matching all the times power generation with demand.