Hidroelectrica has signed the contract for the implementation of the project “Refurbishment of the high-power energy pumping stations Petrimanu, Jidoaia and Lotru – downstream of UHE Dorin Pavel”, following the completion of the stages of the award procedure carried out through competitive negotiation.
The contract, with an estimated value of 486,910,316.25 RON (97,887,161 EUR) excluding VAT, was awarded at the final value of 97,880,000 EUR excluding VAT to the company ELECTROMONTAJ S.A., with subcontractors ELIN MOTOREN GmbH, VOITH HYDRO GmbH & Co. KG and BUTAN GRUP S.R.L., according to a company press release.
The refurbishment of the three high-power pumping stations – Petrimanu, Jidoaia and Lotru – downstream of the Dorin Pavel HPP – represents one of the most important investments in Hidroelectrica’s energy infrastructure in recent years, with a direct impact on increasing energy efficiency, operational flexibility and balancing capacity of the National Energy System. The project will allow the extension of the life of the pumping installations by at least 30 years, will improve the efficiency of electromechanical equipment and control systems and will integrate modern automation and digital control technologies, compatible with the SCADA/EMS standards used within the company. At the same time, the refurbishment will contribute to increasing the rapid reaction capacity of SEN in situations of energy imbalance and to better capitalize on production from renewable sources.
“The completion of the award procedure for the retrofitting of the high-power pumping stations on Lotru and the signing of the contract represent a milestone for our investment strategy. The project has a double relevance: technological and strategic. From a technical point of view, the works will bring the facilities to the highest European performance and safety standards, by using equipment provided by partners with solid international expertise, such as VOITH and ELIN MOTOREN. From a strategic perspective, the retrofitting of these stations strengthens Hidroelectrica’s role in the stability and resilience of the National Energy System, at a time when balancing renewable production is becoming essential for Romania’s energy security. We are pleased to see that our investment strategy is advancing with concrete projects, which combine technological innovation, sustainability and responsibility towards the national energy infrastructure”, stated Bogdan Badea, CEO, Hidroelectrica.
Hidroelectrica is the largest producer of electricity from renewable sources in Romania and one of the most important players in the energy sector of South-Eastern Europe. With a portfolio of over 6.3 GW of installed capacity in hydropower plants, cumulated with the Crucea wind farm, the company contributes to national energy security and to achieving the decarbonization objectives set by EU policies.
Through its 2025–2030 investment plan, Hidroelectrica aims to fully modernize the hydropower infrastructure, develop new renewable capacities – hydro, solar, wind, storage – and consolidate its regional position as an integrated producer of green energy.