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

ENERGO-PRO Grids prepares the electricity distribution network for operation in winter conditions. As every year, the company's teams took a series of measures to stabilize the network after the specialists carried out an inspection and expert analysis of the facilities. This was stated by Mr. Momchil Andreev, Manager of ENERGO-PRO Varna, during the visit of the Minister of Energy Mrs. Temenuzhka Petkova to the city of Gabrovo today, September 8, 2015.

The visit of Minister Petkova is part of the initiative of the Ministry of Energy to check the readiness of the electricity distribution companies and the Electricity System Operator to meet the challenges of winter.

During the visit, the Minister of Energy, together with a team of experts, checked the condition of the Sinkevica substation, which supplies electricity to part of Gabrovo and 11 other settlements near the city. The substation is a facility of key importance for the energy system in the district, as it provides electricity to more than 7000 inhabitants in Borovo and Gachevtsi neighborhoods, the area around the “Dr. Tota Venkova” Medical Center AD, part of the city center, Gabrovo Bakery, all educational buildings of Technical University - Gabrovo, as well as the villages of Boynovtsi, Vrabbe The Genovtsi, Gornova Mogila, Mechkovitsa, Partevtsi, Trneto, Chukilito, Jankula, Bambovo, Slavovtsi.

Substation “Sinkevitsa” was put into operation in 1991. The name comes from the river “Sinkevitsa”, over which the open 110 kV distribution system is built. The substation is powered by two 110 kV overhead power lines. It is equipped with two power transformers with a total installed power of 56.5 MVA (megavoltampers).

In 2013, the substation was tele-mechanized and switched to remote control by dispatchers in the Network Management Center. In the same year, new 110 kV electric circuit breakers were installed on the two power transformers, with the value of the investment amounting to BGN 90,000. In the current year, the planned maintenance of all facilities in the substation has already been carried out. Repair was carried out and the anti-corrosion coating of power transformer 1 worth BGN 13,000 was renewed.

The function of the substation is to receive, convert and distribute electrical energy. Different types of power plants generate high-voltage electricity, which is carried along the power distribution network and enters the substations. They, in turn, convert the energy from high to medium voltage, after which it is carried along power lines to the substations, and from there, after another conversion from medium to low voltage, the energy reaches our homes.

The preparation of the electricity distribution network for the autumn-winter period includes servicing, tours, inspections and inspections of all facilities of ENERGO-PRO Networks - 27 substations, 98 node stations, 11,442 substations, 3,512 km of medium-voltage (Sr) cable lines, 6946 km of low-voltage (NV) cable lines, 15,018 km of overhead power lines SrN, 16,860 km of NN overhead power lines on the territory of North-Eastern Bulgaria.

The preparation of the network in Gabrovo region covers inspections and operation of the “Sinkevica” substation, 1081 substations, 311 km of cable lines SRN, 430 km of cable lines NN, 1182 km of overhead power lines SRN and 1318 km of overhead power lines NN.

So far, 1245 km of routes of medium and low voltage air lines have been cleaned on the territory served by ENERGO-PRO Networks. 10,973 insulators have been replaced. Replaced and newly built are 104 iron lattice (GRP) and 1874 reinforced concrete pillars. Nearly 20 tons of transformer oil was poured, another 40 tons were spent on repairs in a transformer workshop. On the territory of Gabrovo region 285 km of forest clearings and trails have been cleaned. 1030 km of detours were carried out, 942 insulators were replaced. 2859 liters of transformer oil was poured. The company's teams continue to work hard in the coming weeks.

The electricity distribution company has 393 repair teams, equipped with the necessary personal protective equipment and specialized equipment and equipment. There are 31 teams permanently stationed on the territory of Gabrovo region. The company is ready, in case of crisis situations, to regroup and redirect technical teams and equipment to the affected areas.

The vehicle fleet has been brought into full readiness for winter. All cars are equipped with GPS systems. The company has 410 off-road vehicles, 317 team vehicles with normal cross-country ability and 149 specialized vehicles — excavators, cranes, trucks and others. The necessary reserve of materials and warehouse stocks is provided. Mobile teams have all the necessary means of communication to exchange information with the network management centers, as well as tools, spare materials and clothing to work in specific winter conditions.

Specialized plans for protection in case of disasters and accidents have been prepared on the territory of each area serviced by ENERGO-PRO Networks AD, in order to guarantee immediate response in emergency situations. The company has an established operational relationship with the district and municipal disaster protection headquarters.