The majority of the works necessary to remedy the damages caused by such meteorological phenomena are in the investment works category and are included in the investment plans of the distribution operators approved by ANRE and consequently do not lead to increases in the distribution tariffs, states an ACUE (Federation of Associations of Energy Utility Companies) release.
Romania confronted with extreme, unpredictable meteorological phenomena that have caused major damages, in large areas, to electricity distribution networks. Despite the particular situation and the very difficult access to many of the affected areas, by mobilizing the intervention teams of the distribution operators and of their contractors, was resumed the electricity supply for the majority of the consumers within a reasonable time frame, taking into consideration the complexity of the work required to re-establish the good functioning of the networks.
”The value of the investment programs and the types of works are approved by ANRE, according to the secondary legislation in force, being correlated with consumers’ supportability and the technical state of the networks. The electricity distributors continuously analyze the need for works and for emergency interventions based on the technical state and the age of the equipments and distribution networks and perform the necessary work, verification, maintenance or replacement of the network components”, states the release.
Electricity transmission and distribution operators that are ACUE’s members, give great importance to investments in modernization and development of networks and to maintenance operations, which aim to improve the quality of the services for consumers and the security of supply. As it was highlighted on many occasions, the distribution networks in Romania require sustained investment in order to achieve a high level of performance in line with consumers’ expectations as well as their affordability.
Reaching the 10 billion euro mark
Last year, the companies represented by the Federation, which are active in the field of electricity transport, distribution and supply and of natural gas distribution and supply, have invested a total amount of about 500 million euros. The total amount invested by ACUE members during the period 2005-2016 is about 9.8 billion euros, which proves a consensual commitment to the Romanian energy sector and, implicitly, to all energy consumers in Romania.
Reducing unplanned interruptions, which is also the case with the situations that appeared in the previous days in several areas of the country, is a priority for the distribution companies. At this indicator, progress has been made lately and we are convinced that the planned investments for the coming years will continue to improve it.
On the other hand, extreme weather conditions such as those encountered in Romania in April put the distribution networks through a hard test, which had to cope with extreme winter conditions, meteorologists even talking about the existence of a cyclone, manifested with a strong wind that beat in gusts at speeds ranging from 55 to 90 km per hour. In these conditions, field interventions of the distribution operators’ teams were made in extremely difficult conditions, in many areas the access to the affected lines was greatly hampered by the field conditions, and the repairs and assembly works were made with difficulty, being always the risk of injury of the intervention workers.
The distribution operators regret the inconveniences created to the consumers, but ensure them that they have made and will continue to make all the necessary efforts to quickly restore the electricity supply in all affected areas.