Distribuție Energie Electrică Romania (DEER), a member of the Electrica Group, held a press conference at its headquarters in Cluj-Napoca ahead of the fourth edition of the Energy Cybersecurity Forum. The meeting with the event’s media partners focused on the new four-year mandate of the company’s CEO, investments in distribution infrastructure, security of supply, grid digitalization and cybersecurity.
Alongside Mihaela Rodica Suciu, DEER’s Chief Executive Officer, the meeting was attended by Dan Mateaș, Director of Network Development; Eduard David, Director of Network Operations; Paul Cristian Negrea, Director of Corporate Affairs; and Eusebiu Rotaru, Director of IT Systems and Automation.
Discussions covered investments and funding for grid modernization, continuity of electricity distribution services, human resources development, infrastructure digitalization and strengthening cyber resilience.
During the conference, Mihaela Rodica Suciu outlined the priorities of her new four-year mandate at the helm of DEER, built around five strategic pillars: accelerating investments and maximizing the use of non-reimbursable funding; improving security and continuity of electricity supply; enhancing financial performance and operational efficiency; digitalizing the grid and facilitating the energy transition; and strengthening corporate governance while implementing the company’s strategy.
“My first term was about transformation and building a solid foundation. Over the next four years, the priority is to build on that foundation through completed investments, digitalization and measurable results for both the company and its customers,” said Mihaela Rodica Suciu, CEO of DEER.
In 2025, DEER carried out investments worth RON 878 million. The value of the commissioning programme for 2025 reached RON 924 million after including, in accordance with the methodology of the Romanian Energy Regulatory Authority (ANRE), works completed and reported by June 30, 2026.
For 2026, the company has an approved capital expenditure (CAPEX) programme of RON 1.48 billion, the largest in its history. Investments exceeding RON 5.7 billion are planned for the 2025–2029 period, including RON 3.7 billion from the company’s own resources, alongside efforts to secure non-reimbursable funding.
Separately, the Electricity Distribution Network Development Plan approved by ANRE for 2026–2035 provides for investments of approximately EUR 1 billion in grid modernization and development.
The development of Smart Grid infrastructure plays a central role in this strategy, through network automation, the expansion of smart metering systems, and the use of monitoring and predictive maintenance technologies. DEER aims to achieve a smart meter deployment rate of more than 70% by 2030, while improving grid connection processes and safely integrating prosumers, generation capacities and energy storage solutions.
Alongside its investment plans, the company addressed measures to reduce the duration and frequency of power outages, improve operational efficiency and prepare the grid for the demands of the energy transition.
Particular emphasis was also placed on DEER’s workforce, including recruitment and retention, professional training, digital skills development, internships and partnerships supporting dual vocational education.
As distribution networks become increasingly digitalized and interconnected, protecting IT and operational technology (OT) systems is essential to ensuring continuity of electricity supply. Risk prevention, monitoring, incident response capabilities and cooperation between operators and public authorities are key components of resilient energy infrastructure.
“The performance of a modern grid means more than infrastructure and technology. It means the ability to anticipate risks, make decisions quickly and ensure continuity of supply in an increasingly complex energy system,” Mihaela Rodica Suciu emphasized.
These topics will feature prominently on the agenda of the fourth edition of the Energy Cybersecurity Forum, organized by DEER on October 29–30, 2026, at the Grand Hotel Italia in Cluj-Napoca.
The event brings together senior representatives of central government and regulatory authorities, energy sector executives, IT/OT and cybersecurity specialists, as well as members of the academic community.
The first day of the Forum will focus on policies and regulations governing critical infrastructure security, cyber risk management, technological solutions for IT and OT environments, and incident response.
The second day will emphasize the training of future specialists, collaboration between universities and the energy industry, the impact of artificial intelligence on professional skills, and presentations of specialized solutions.
Through this initiative, DEER aims to encourage dialogue and the exchange of best practices among organizations involved in operating and protecting energy infrastructure. At a time when investment, digitalization and security must advance together, these elements are fundamental to building a modern, resilient and sustainable energy system capable of addressing current challenges and anticipating future demands.
The fourth edition of the Energy Cybersecurity Forum takes place on October 29–30, 2026.
Media partners: Focus Energetic, InvesTenergy, Financial Intelligence, Agerpres, The Diplomat-Bucharest, Transilvania Business, Energia.ro, Energynomics and NewsEnergy.