Romanian transmission operator Transelectrica has launched a €90.4 million upgrade of its Alba Iulia 220/110/20 kV substation, excluding VAT. The project is intended as a pilot for broader digitalisation of the national grid. The scope links substation equipment with additional digital and communications capabilities.
Design-and-build consortium and project participants
The design-and-build contract has been secured by a consortium led by Vodafone Romania and Electromontaj. Politehnica Bucharest is also involved in the programme. The arrangement covers delivery of the upgrade for the Alba Iulia site.
Modernisation Fund support and implementation timeline
The project will receive €43 million in non-repayable funding from the Modernisation Fund. Implementation is scheduled over 44 months, with completion planned for May 2030. Funding and scheduling are set for the upgrade at the Alba Iulia substation.
Digital systems integrating power infrastructure and monitoring
The upgrade will integrate power infrastructure with communications, automation, monitoring and equipment-condition analysis. Planned systems include a private cloud, digital twins, satellite and geographic data, and augmented reality. An Asset Health Center is also planned for continuous equipment assessment.
The programme includes cybersecurity measures and staff training. Transelectrica intends to use the Alba Iulia upgrade as a reference for subsequent network upgrades. The wider deployment of integrated systems is linked to whether they improve maintenance decisions, equipment availability and operational visibility across other substations.
