ENERGO-PRO Grids prepared the facilities of the electricity distribution network for operation in winter

ENERGO-PRO Grids prepared the facilities of the electricity distribution network for operation in winter conditions. The preparation covered 27 substations, 112 node stations, 11,371 substations (TP), 3,441 km of medium-voltage (MV) cable lines, 6,826 km of low-voltage (NN) cable lines, 15,017 km of overhead power lines SW, 16,853 km of overhead power lines NN in the territory of North-East Bulgaria.

In the process of preparation, 2,330 km of route of overhead power lines SN and NH were cleaned. Surveys and inspections of the SN network were carried out. 106 iron lattice and 2,200 reinforced concrete pillars were replaced or newly built. 809 km of HN networks with insulated wire were reconstructed, with 11.5 tons of copper wire inserted. At 465 substations, waterproofing or construction repairs were carried out, 10 100 substations were cleaned and over 106 249 l of transformer oil was poured.

ENERGO-PRO Grids has 447 teams of two electricians each and is ready for quick regrouping and redeployment of technical teams if necessary. Teams are provided with personal protective equipment and special work clothing.

The vehicle fleet is prepared for operation in winter conditions. All cars are equipped with GPS systems. The company has 405 off-road vehicles, 272 team cars with normal cross-country ability and 145 special vehicles - trucks, cranes, excavators, fighting machines, cable laboratories, etc. 4 diesel generators with a total capacity of 2100 kW have been prepared to provide customers with electricity in case of severe accidents. The necessary emergency reserve of basic types of materials and equipment is provided.

In parallel with the winter preparation activities, an inspection of all embedded substations was carried out. The facilities are in good technical condition. The company has provided over BGN 300,000 for rehabilitation and securing of the embedded substations.

In 2012 ENERGO-PRO Networks invested BGN 7.5 million in rehabilitation and construction of telecommunication control systems of 8 substations and 5 node stations. This will reduce the time required to locate and eliminate faults on the power distribution network. Another 8.5 million leva were invested in the HN network and 2.5 million in the HN network. To remedy the consequences of the emergency situation last winter, the company has carried out rehabilitation of the affected facilities for BGN 1.5 million.

As a result of the measures for the renewal and development of the network, over the past 5 years the average duration of interruptions has decreased more than 2 times. The average number of network failures has decreased by more than 3 times.