Transelectrica Starts 400 kV Constanta Nord-Medgidia Sud OHL Construction

Romania’s Power Grid Company Transelectrica is starting the investment for the construction of the 400 kV Constanta Nord-Medgidia Sud double circuit (d.c.) overhead power line (OHL) with one equipped circuit (1 e.c.), a strategic project to strengthen the Power Transmission Grid and increase the security of supply to consumers and producers in Dobrogea.

The investment benefits from a grant from the Modernization Fund in the amount of RON 111,873,780.08, being the first Romanian project approved under this European funding mechanism.

The construction works for the new high voltage power line in Dobrogea will be carried out by the Association consisting of Electromontaj SA and Elm Electromontaj Cluj SA, with Electromontaj SA as the leader of the association, and will be worth over RON 134 million, with a completion period of 30 months. Transelectrica’s CEO, Stefanita Munteanu, together with the responsible investment team from the Company, outlined the action plan with clear deadlines for the next period during the project kick-off meeting with the contractors’ representatives.

“The development of the Power Transmission Grid is a permanent concern of Transelectrica, all the more so as the share of renewable generation is increasing. In this context, the Modernization Fund represents a real support for the development of Romania’s strategic energy infrastructure, and Transelectrica treats with maximum responsibility the implementation of projects financed by this mechanism. We ensure that each stage of these projects meets the required requirements and standards and is carried out within the agreed contractual deadlines. The 400 kV Constanta Nord-Medgidia Sud Overhead Power Line will facilitate the resolution of existing grid congestion in the Dobrogea area, as well as the connection of new renewable power plants in the coming period. As part of Transelectrica’s investment strategy for the Dobrogea area, the new power line from Constanta to Medgidia will contribute, together with important projects such as the Cernavoda-Stalpu and Gutinas-Smardan power lines, to increase the outflow capacity of electricity produced in renewable power plants in the region,” Stefanita Munteanu said.

According to the feasibility study, the construction of the new 400 kV overhead power line will allow the takeover and transmission of an additional capacity of at least 273 MW of electricity produced from renewable sources in Dobrogea, a region with a surplus in terms of energy production. Thus, the investment will ensure the efficient outflow of energy generated from renewable sources, contributing to the balancing and stability of the National Power System.

The investment objective includes the construction of a new 37.35-kilometer power line consisting of two main sections:

• A section of 400 kV overhead power line to be built on double-circuit metal poles, approximately 35.35 kilometres long
• A section of 400 kV underground power line, about 2 kilometres long, which will connect the overhead portion of the line to Medgidia Sud.

The new power transmission line will support the development of energy infrastructure in the Dobrogea region, contributing to:

• Increasing the capacity for the outflow of energy produced in new wind and conventional power plants in Dobrogea, including the efficient outflow of energy produced in the south-east of the country to the interconnected power system
• Ensuring a reliable and efficient supply for consumers in Constanta, the Black Sea coast and the Tulcea area
• Strengthening the interface between the Power Transmission Grid and the Power Distribution Grid in Dobrogea area
• Reducing power losses and optimizing electricity transmission costs.

CNTEE Transelectrica SA, Romania’s sole transmission and system operator, is committed to modernizing and expanding the national energy infrastructure through the implementation of strategic investment projects. These projects are part of the Power Transmission Grid Development Plan for the period 2024-2033, an ambitious program, totalling RON 9.4 billion, which aims to increase the security of supply to consumers, increase interconnection capacities and support the energy transition by integrating renewable generation and new power plants.