Starting today, April 1, 2026, Hidroelectrica has launched the controlled filling process for the Vidraru reservoir, following the approved emptying and filling schedule as part of the Vidraru Hydroelectric Plant (AHE Vidraru) modernization project.

This resumption marks a key milestone after completing interventions in the water intake area and bottom emptying. The filling will proceed gradually by progressively capturing inflows, with constant monitoring of the hydroelectric structures’ behavior and water quality parameters, especially turbidity.

In the first phase, water from the Topolog intake—the only natural tributary flowing into the Olt River basin—will be introduced. Secondary intakes Limpedea and Valea lui Stan will remain temporarily diverted until turbidity reaches safe levels, ensuring dilution of discharged flows and uninterrupted water supply to local populations.

Additionally, bottom outlet No. 1 at the Vidraru dam will stay open with a flow of 2–6 cubic meters per second to supply water to Curtea de Argeș municipality until the flood season, when secondary intakes can take over.

The refilling process is expected to conclude in October 2026, depending on this year’s hydraulic conditions and natural inflow trends.

The AHE Vidraru modernization project, signed in 2024, is worth about €188 million (excluding VAT) and spans roughly 7 years. It aims to fully upgrade equipment, boost operational safety, improve efficiency, extend equipment lifespan, and strengthen the plant’s strategic role in Romania’s energy security.

The Vidraru facility has an installed capacity of 220 MW and average annual output of around 400 GWh. Lake Vidraru holds a total volume of about 465 million cubic meters, with 320 million cubic meters as usable capacity—one of Romania’s largest reservoirs.