Major maintenance 220 kV OHL Alba - Șugag - Gâlceag

The 220/110/20 kV Alba Iulia substation is an important node within the National Power System (SEN) and is a transformer substation with 3 substations at three voltage levels:

• The 220 kV substation has the role of evacuating power from the Gâlceag Hydro Power Plant (CHE) and the Șugag CHE, of providing the interconnection with the Mintia Thermal Power Plant (CTE) through the 220 kV Mintia-Alba Iulia Overhead Power Line (OHL) and with Section 4, the Northern Transylvania area, through the 220 kV Cluj – Florești – Alba Iulia OHL;
• Through the 110 kV substation, namely through 10 110 kV OHL bays: Bărăbanț 1, 2, Sebeș 1, 2, Turnătorie 1, 2, Aiud, Teiuș, Zlatna 1, 2, electricity is distributed in the Electricity Distribution Network (RED) area for the 110 kV substations that mainly supply Alba County and ensure the interconnection with the RED network areas of the neighbouring counties;
• The 20 kV substation is of the indoor type and ensures the distribution of electricity for 50% of the consumption of the municipality of Alba Iulia through cables, namely 10 20 kV Underground Power Lines (LES);

The need to refurbish the substation stems from the age of the equipment, most of it over 40 years old, the un-refurbished substation having been commissioned during the years 1977 – 1978.

The refurbishment works in which the ELM Electromontaj Cluj teams took part were carried out in the electrical substation both outdoors, across the site of the entire substation and at the relay cabins, and indoors, in the control room building.