Romania: Siemens Energy has secured a contract to replace key transformers at Romania’s biggest hydropower facility, operated by Hidroelectrica. The project is part of a wider modernisation programme at the Iron Gate 1 plant on the Danube.

More than 55 years after the original units were installed, the utility will receive seven new 15.75/242 kV transformers, each rated at 216 MVA. Siemens Energy’s Romanian subsidiary submitted the winning bid of $27 M (RON 117.1 M, €23 M), slightly below the initial estimate.

Iron Gate 1, known locally as Porțile de Fier, is shared with Serbia and remains the country’s largest hydropower system. On the Romanian side, it includes six generating units of 194.4 MW each.

The upgrade is seen as a strategic step to improve reliability and efficiency. Board President Bogdan Badea said the investment supports safer operation and strengthens national energy security.

The contract will run for 62 months, with the first transformer due within 18 months and the final unit expected after 58 months. The plant typically produces between 4 TWh and 5 TWh annually, and the overhaul aims to extend its lifespan by another 30 years.

The existing transformers were originally built by Electroputere Craiova, while turbine upgrades were completed between 2000 and 2007.

Source: Balkan Green Energy News

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