Rețele Electrice Muntenia organizes through the SEAP public platform a tender for the purchase of 24kV three-pole non-removable circuit breakers with vacuum switching, worth up to 24 million RON. This initiative is part of a large project to modernize and expand the electricity distribution infrastructure operated by the Rețele Electrice companies, aiming to improve the safety and efficiency of the electricity networks.
“This tender represents an essential strategic step for the modernization and consolidation of our medium voltage networks. By purchasing state-of-the-art non-detachable medium voltage circuit breakers, we ensure that the power distribution network becomes not only safer and more efficient, but also more resilient in the face of operational challenges. In this way, we contribute to increasing the quality and reliability of the services we offer,” said Mihai Pește, general manager of Rețele Electrice.
The purchase of this equipment will significantly contribute to increasing protection against overloads and short circuits, while increasing the resilience of the grid to failures and unforeseen events, thus reducing power outage periods and improving the overall reliability of the system.
In addition, this acquisition has an essential eco-friendly component, complying with the latest sustainability requirements of the European Union. By replacing the old circuit breakers, which function with mineral oil, the Rețele Electrice companies are taking an important step in reducing their impact on the environment. At the same time, the new switches exclude the use of SF6 gas, a powerful greenhouse gas. Thus, this technical solution complies with EU requirements, which require the elimination of equipment using SF6 by January 1, 2026.
24kV three-pole non-breaking vacuum switched circuit breakers are devices used in medium voltage (MV) power grids, which are designed to cut off the power supply in the event of a fault or overload. These switches are especially used in medium voltage installations where it is important that the equipment is robust and reliable in the long term, eliminating the need for frequent interventions for their maintenance.
The Rețele Electrice companies operate networks with a total length of about 134,000 kilometers in three areas of the country: Muntenia Sud (including Bucharest), Banat and Dobrogea, covering a third of the local distribution market.