Transelectrica has put into operation, after the successful completion of technical tests, the first STATCOM (Static Synchronous Compensator) installation in the Electric Transmission Network (RET), in the 400/220/110/20 kV Sibiu Sud power station. The investment is part of a major project financed by the Modernization Fund, namely the Installation of two modern means of reactive power compensation in the Sibiu Sud and Bradu stations and marks an essential step for the modernization of Romania’s energy infrastructure and the operational safety of the National Power System (SEN).
The STATCOM installation in the Sibiu Sud Station, already put into operation and at the disposal of the National Energy Dispatcher, represents the first part of the project to install two modern means of reactive power compensation in the Sibiu Sud and Bradu stations. The completion of the works in the 400/220/110/20 kV Bradu substation is estimated for the first part of 2026, before the contractual term.
The total value of the project is 260 million lei, of which 254 million lei are provided by the Modernization Fund. The works are carried out by the Siemens Energy SRL – Electromontaj SA Association, the contractual implementation term being August 2026. The investment is among the 11 Transelectrica projects financed non-reimbursably by the Modernization Fund.
Why modern means of reactive energy compensation are important
STATCOM is an advanced technology that stabilizes the voltage in the network and directly contributes to increasing the security of electricity supply for household and industrial consumers. Its implementation strengthens the SEN’s capacity to integrate increasing volumes of renewable energy and to respond flexibly to rapid load variations.
The STATCOM installation ensures dynamic and continuous voltage regulation in the network node, permanent compensation of reactive power, increased voltage stability in normal and emergency conditions, increased flexibility of the NES in the context of the increasing share of renewable energy and damping of inter-zonal voltage oscillations, which occur at the ENTSO-E interconnection level.
“This investment has a direct impact on national energy security, by increasing transmission capacity, reducing instability risks and optimizing network operation in situations of congestion, unforeseen events or rapid consumption variations.
At the same time, the project contributes to meeting Romania’s objectives regarding the modernization of the energy infrastructure, increasing the resilience of the transmission network and facilitating the accelerated integration of renewable sources into the NES,” say company officials.