Transelectrica announces that it has energized the second +/-150 MVAr STATCOM installation (Static Synchronous Compensator) in the Electric Transmission Network (ET), in the 400/220/110/20 kV Bradu Substation, after the successful completion of pre-energizing tests. The station is part of a larger 260 million lei project, which includes a similar unit already put into operation in Sibiu Sud.
The investment, carried out through the project “Installation of two modern means of reactive power compensation in the Sibiu Sud and Bradu substations”, financed by the Modernization Fund, represents a strategic objective for increasing the operational safety of the National Power System (SEN) and for the modernization of Romania’s energy infrastructure. The energizing of the Bradu STATCOM installation takes place in an important operational context, marked by the Pentecost and Children’s Day periods (May 31 – June 1, 2026), an interval characterized by low electricity consumption and the occurrence of high voltage levels in the network. Under these conditions, the new installation will be used in a trial mode at the disposal of the National Energy Dispatcher (DEN), directly contributing to voltage regulation and maintaining the stability of the NES.
Along with the similar installation in the 400/220/110/20 kV Sibiu Sud Transformer Station, put into operation in December 2025, Bradu STATCOM completes a modern reactive power compensation system, capable of quickly responding to variations in the network and supporting the safe and stable operation of the NES under operating conditions specific to periods of low consumption. In parallel, the operational teams of the National Energy Dispatcher and Transelectrica territorial units have implemented additional measures to monitor and prepare the electrical transmission network, to ensure the safe, continuous and balanced operation of the National Power System during the Pentecost mini-holiday. The full program of technical tests and trials for the Bradu STATCOM installation will continue after the end of the holiday period, according to the approved technical documentation.
The total value of the project is approximately 260 million lei, of which approximately 254 million lei represents non-reimbursable financing from the Modernization Fund. The works are carried out by the Siemens Energy SRL – Electromontaj SA Association, the contractual completion deadline being August 2026, ahead of the deadline assumed by the financing contract, namely May 2027. To date, Transelectrica has submitted reimbursement requests worth over 130 million lei, of which 30.8 million lei have already been settled. The investment is part of the portfolio of 11 strategic projects of Transelectrica financed by the Modernization Fund.
Why modern means of reactive power 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 ability 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 SEN in the conditions of increasing the 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 energy infrastructure, increasing the resilience of the transmission network and facilitating the accelerated integration of renewable sources into the SEN.
The investments implemented by Transelectrica in the Transmission Grid, with financing from the Modernization Fund, are investments for the stability and sustainability of the Romanian Energy System, by building a more flexible network prepared for the challenges of the energy transition.
