Seniors in the Capital Affected by Urban Heating System Problems

Electrocentrale București has announced the completion of repair work on steam boiler no. 4 at CET București Sud, with the unit returned to service following the incident that disrupted heating supply to half the capital.

The company states that the situation was managed within safe parameters, however the energy system is under extreme technical strain. Persistent problems in certain areas are not related to the power plants' operations, but rather to the poor condition of Termoenergetica's distribution network, where significant water losses through ageing pipes are directly affecting consumers.

The equipment at CET București Sud is over 50–60 years old and is kept operational through the constant efforts of specialists. Nevertheless, the system faces chronic underfunding, and the approximately 1.5 billion RON debt that Termoenergetica owes to ELCEN places an immense economic burden on the producer.

This financial shortfall is blocking the capacity to sustain necessary maintenance, critical investments, and payments to fuel suppliers. The absence of major investment has left the system without reserve capacity able to take over production in the event of a generating unit failing.

ELCEN warns that the risks of similar technical incidents cannot be entirely eliminated for as long as the infrastructure in use remains obsolete. Modernising the plants remains the only viable solution to ensure stable district heating in the capital and to prevent future crises that could particularly affect vulnerable people, including elderly residents who depend on the centralised heating system.