SS in the Călărași steel plant – reliable power supply for industrial facilities in Romania

Romania, the largest country in Southeast Europe, is becoming an increasingly important centre of industrial development. To ensure stable power supply for one of the country’s key industrial facilities - the Tenaris–Silcotub steel plant in Călărași a reconstruction of the secondary equipment of the 110/10 kV substation within the complex was carried out.

This project marked the first engagement of Elnos Group on the Romanian market and was successfully completed in an exceptionally short period – just one month. The scope included modernization of protection systems, control, auxiliary power systems, and integration of the SCADA system for all 18 bays within the substation.

• Substation voltage level: 110/10 kV
• Number of reconstructed bays: 18
• Equipment type: Secondary equipment (protection, control, SCADA integration)
• Communication protocol: Profinet, a specific solution instead of standard IEC 61850
• Design and manufacturing of protection-control and distribution cabinets in Belgrade
• Testing and commissioning completed in record time

The reconstruction enabled a significantly more reliable and precise control system for the steel plant’s electrical infrastructure, with modern solutions that provide remote monitoring and optimized operation.

The project involved several key challenges:

• Extremely short deadline, with all works required to be completed within one month
• Manufacturing of protection-control and distribution cabinets in Belgrade, followed by transport and installation in Romania
• Specific investor requirement to use the Profinet protocol, rarely applied in 110 kV facilities where IEC 61850 is standard
• Precise synchronization with the steel plant’s existing industrial systems to ensure stable and uninterrupted power supply

Despite the complexity and tight schedule, the project was successfully completed, and the substation was commissioned with enhanced functionalities and improved reliability.

Elnos Group played a key role in all phases of the project:

• Design, production, and installation of protection-control and distribution cabinets, together with accompanying equipment and cables
• Implementation of the SCADA system for remote control and monitoring
• Integration of the substation’s auxiliary power system
• System testing and optimization prior to commissioning
• Training of operators to use the new protection and control systems

• First Elnos Group project in Romania, creating opportunities for future market engagements
• Modernization of industrial energy infrastructure
• Increased energy efficiency and supply reliability for the Tenaris–Silcotub steel plant
  
• Application of innovative technological solutions tailored to specific investor requirements
• Strengthening Romania’s industrial capacity through stable and efficient power supply

The reconstruction of the substation in the Călărași steel plant sets new standards for future modernization projects in Romania’s industrial facilities. This successful project further strengthened Elnos Group’s position as a reliable partner in the international power engineering sector.