Transelectrica and Delgaz Grid sign agreement for the implementation of the CARMEN project

Transelectrica and Delgaz Grid, the electricity and natural gas distribution company part of the German group E.ON, signed the partnership agreement for the implementation of the Carpathian Modernized Energy Network (CARMEN) project.

CARMEN is a project developed in partnership with the Hungarian transport operator, MAVIR Magyar Villamosenergia-ipari Átviteli Rendszerirányító ZRt and is in the process of being evaluated by the European Commission for admission to the 5th List of Projects of Common Interest (CIP) in “Smart Grids” thematic area.

Through the CARMEN project, the partners aim to modernize and develop transmission and distribution networks, as well as increase their interoperability, both at national and European level, in order to achieve objectives of common interest. Thus, it is estimated the modernization of 23 substations, 65 substations, high voltage overhead lines and the implementation of specific IT and communications technologies, the installation in the electric transmission network of modern means of voltage control at the level of the energy system.

“Transelectrica’s vision in the fields of research and innovation, energy efficiency, new technologies, asset management and digitalisation aims to achieve the objectives of SMART GRID, an absolutely necessary concept in the reality of energy systems at European level. The CARMEN project is a bold one that foreshadows the definition and implementation of smart grids, based on collaboration principles, cutting-edge technologies and systems for network management. From the perspective of the management approach, our targets converge towards accelerating the investment program and pursuing a corporate strategy that ensures the proactivity and efficiency of our actions.

We consider as an immediate priority the implementation of all measures necessary to adapt our network to the rigors of the European energy market and industry, especially since the targets assumed by Romania as a member of the European Union through the Green Deal and the Fit For 55 package oblige us to adopt high standards and focus on areas with great potential to create added value for the entire industry, but especially for end consumers. Therefore, projects like this must be promoted and collaborations between actors in the energy industry must be extended to achieve the proposed common goals, “said Bogdan Toncescu, President of CNTEE Transelectrica SA.

“The priority of Delgaz Grid is to accelerate the greening and digitization of the electricity distribution network we manage, in order to integrate in a sustainable way the new clean energy capacities, but also to ensure an efficient and flexible management of energy flows. increasingly volatile induced by the increase in the degree of penetration of renewables in the national energy mix.

The CARMEN initiative will become the first Project of Common Interest in the thematic area “Smart Grids” in Romania, representing the most ambitious project of our company, both in terms of technical complexity and budgetary value and a major opportunity for modernization of the electricity distribution infrastructure in the North-East region of Romania.

We thank our partners from CNTEE Transelectrica SA for their trust and active involvement in the structuring and implementation of this project. I am convinced that today we have laid the foundations for a long-term collaboration that will produce major advantages in the process of transforming the Romanian electricity sector, for the benefit of our customers,” said Dragoș Bărbulescu, General Manager of Delgaz Grid SA.

The value of the CARMEN project amounts to approximately 150 million Euro and its implementation will run for a period of 6 years, starting with 2023, and will be proposed for funding under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) program.