The distribution company installed a total of 570 high-efficiency photovoltaic panels at the Otopeni (Ilfov County), Palas Sud (Constanța County), and Oțelu Roșu (Caraș-Severin County) substations, with a total installed capacity of about 260 kWh. The photovoltaic panels have been installed on the ground and have been operational since the beginning of the year, helping to cut CO2 emissions.
“E-Distribuție is accelerating the process to achieve fully sustainable electrification, while respecting the environment and natural resources,” commented Monica Hodor, General Manager of E-Distributie. “The installation of integrated photovoltaic power plants and storage capacities at the three substations improves
the efficiency of the distribution process by reducing the technological consumption, balancing electricity loads and providing resilience. These systems provide clean energy production, contributing to local and international environmental goals.”
Each of the three photovoltaic plants installed at the 110/20 kV primary substations in Ilfov, Constanța and Caraș-Severin counties provide an annual electricity production of almost 110 MWh.
The Otopeni primary substation supplies electricity to over 12,000 consumers in Bucharest, Otopeni, Balotești, Măgura, Corbeanca and Mogoșoaia. The Palas Sud and Oțelu Roșu substations provide the energy distribution service to over 11,000 consumers in Constanța, Oțelu Roșu, Baia, Băuțar, Bucova, Rușchița, Caransebeș, Cireșa, Ciuta, Glimboca, Iaz, Lozna, Măgura, Mal, Marga, Maru, Obreja, Rusca, Valea Bistrei, Var, Voislova and Zăvoi.
The installation of the three photovoltaic power plants at the primary substations is the first such step for E-Distributie and is part of the transition to a sustainable business model.
“The coming years will see more and more E-Distribuție substations having similar photovoltaic plants installed to cover the consumption needs, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to increase energy efficiency,” stated Monica Hodor, General Manager of E-Distributie. ”Towards this aim, to accelerate the transition to a green economy, projects will be submitted for financing, including through the Modernization Fund.”
The Enel Group is accelerating the process of transitioning to a sustainable business model by developing renewable energy sources and adopting circular economy principles within its strategy. In the last five years, E-Distribuție companies have recycled equipment waste – transformers, electricity cables, iron, industrial batteries, meters, used oil – totaling approximately 17,000 tons. Of these, over 95% of the recycled volumes have returned to the economy in the form of ferrous, non-ferrous metals, plastic, wood, glass, etc.
E-Distribuție Banat, E-Distribuție Dobrogea and E-Distribuție Muntenia are the companies within the Enel Group in Romania dealing with electricity distribution. Annually, they distribute over 15 TWh of electricity through over 131,000 km of grid – underground and overhead power lines, high, medium, and low voltage – through 286 primary substations and 24,315 secondary substations.
