Hidroelectrica restores Hydroaggregate 1 at CHE Portile de Fier I

Hidroelectrica has completed maintenance work on hydroaggregate no. 1 (HA1) at the Portile de Fier I Hydroelectric Power Plant. All preliminary tests have been carried out, including the complex test of 72 hours of continuous operation, preparing the conditions for the transition to the reception of the hydroaggregate connected to the National Energy System.

The project, worth approximately 55 million lei, started in July 2023, involved the complete dismantling of the hydroaggregate, the transport of components to the UCMH factory in Reșița for expertise and repairs, followed by the reassembly and testing of the rotor-turbine assembly in the factory.

The contract for these works was awarded to SSH Hidroserv, which subcontracted the execution at the UCMH factory in Reșița. Here, the turbine rotor – with a nominal diameter of 9,500 mm – benefited from the execution of major activities, including specialized machining, possible only with the help of large-sized machine tools, unique in the country.

The process represents a premiere for Hidroelectrica, within such a complex project, with only Hidroelectrica and its affiliated companies – SSH Hidroserv and UCMH Reșița – being involved.

“The commissioning of HA1 on time after a highly complex rehabilitation work is a proud moment for us! After 2016, it is the first time that all 6 hydroelectric units of the Portile de Fier I HPP have operated simultaneously.

It is the first time, after decades, that the two companies in the group, Hidroserv and UCMH Reșița, together with colleagues from Hidroelectrica, have collaborated in an exemplary manner for a work of such high complexity worth 55 million lei. Consolidating SEN with its own resources is a great 100% Romanian achievement.

We continue the extremely ambitious investment plan worth 1.7 billion lei in core assets this year as well, after in 2024 we completed works worth 600 million lei.

Our objective is to ensure a high degree of availability of hydroelectric units for SEN, extending their lifespan, consolidating the value of the company’s assets in the long term,” said Karoly Borbely, CEO of Hidroelectrica.

The Porțile de Fier I Hydroelectric Power Plant represents a fundamental pillar in Hidroelectrica’s activity. Located on the border between Romania and Serbia, on the Danube River, it is one of the largest and most important in Europe. With a significant production capacity, Porțile de Fier ensures approximately 40% of Hidroelectrica’s total production, thus being an essential contributor to achieving the objectives of providing electricity in a reliable and efficient manner.

The Hidroelectrica power plant at Porțile de Fier I has, after refurbishment, an annual design electricity production of 5,241,000 Mwh in the average hydrological year, which represents approximately 10% of the national production. In addition, the plant ensures almost half of the system technological services in Romania.