Delgaz Grid completes €4.7 million modernisation at Vicov substation

Delgaz Grid has concluded a major modernisation programme at the Vicov 110/20 kV substation located in Suceava county, eastern Romania. The project required an investment of €4.7 million, supported by €2.2 million in European funding, with the distribution system operator financing the remaining share. The upgrade modernises aging primary and secondary distribution infrastructure to support network stability and facilitate the integration of clean generation.

Substation modernisations of this nature address dual operational challenges common across distribution networks in South-East Europe. Legacy 110/20 kV assets originally designed for centralised bulk power delivery often lack the digital protection schemes, automated switchgear, and thermal capacity required for reverse power flows caused by distributed solar and wind generation. By replacing outdated primary assets and upgrading secondary control systems, grid operators reduce local outage risks and mitigate voltage fluctuations.

For distribution grid managers, securing direct EU financial support provides a vital mechanism to accelerate asset replacement cycles without inflating local end-user tariffs. The targeted injection of €2.2 million in grant capital allows utility managers to prioritise critical nodes facing high operational stress or expanding renewable connection requests. Modernising the 110/20 kV distribution level also minimises technical losses across rural distribution feeders, improving overall network efficiency.

What this means for asset owners in the Balkans and the Black Sea region: Distribution utilities and asset managers across Romania and neighbouring regional grids must align capital replacement plans with available European co-funding mechanisms to modernise rural 110/20 kV substations. Upgrading primary switchgear and protection equipment strengthens transformer protection, reduces maintenance intervals, and ensures assets can absorb localised generation without triggering uncoordinated feeder trips or voltage degradation.