CET Grozăvești shuts down for 14 hours as Apa Nova relocates flow meter on Splaiul Independenței
ELCEN has shut down CET Grozăvești from Sunday 22:00 until Monday 12:00 after Apa Nova cut raw water supply to relocate a flow meter on Splaiul Independenței, with normal hot-water parameters expected back by midday Monday.
Shutdown schedule and cause
Electrocentrale București (ELCEN) began a temporary, controlled shutdown of CET Grozăvești on Sunday 16 August at 22:00, with full restoration of normal hot-water supply parameters expected by Monday 17 August at 12:00. The 14-hour stoppage was triggered by works carried out by Apa Nova București to relocate the flow meter (debitmetru) on the water branch located at Splaiul Independenței nr. 227. Apa Nova notified ELCEN that the raw water supply to the plant would be cut from Sunday at 22:00 until Monday morning at approximately 05:00.
ELCEN stated that the shutdown was timed for the overnight interval because it represents the period with the lowest thermal energy consumption of the week, minimising the impact on residents.
- CET Grozăvești shutdown begins; Apa Nova cuts raw water supply to relocate flow meter on Splaiul Independenței nr. 227 branch
- Apa Nova water supply restoration expected; ELCEN teams to begin restarting and preparing installations
- CET Grozăvești expected to return to normal hot-water supply parameters
Why the plant cannot operate without water
The raw water supplied by Apa Nova is essential to the technological process inside CET Grozăvești. It is used in chemical treatment to produce demineralized water, which in turn feeds the heating circuit used to prepare the domestic hot water delivered to consumers via Termoenergetica.
ELCEN explained that cutting the raw water supply during the Apa Nova works prevents the technological process from running, making the temporary shutdown of the plant's equipment technically obligatory.
The cutting of the raw water supply during the works carried out by Apa Nova prevents the technological process from taking place, which is why the temporary shutdown of ELCEN's equipment is a technically mandatory measure.
Expected impact on consumers
ELCEN estimates that the effect on consumers served by CET Grozăvești will be minimal, consisting of a temporary reduction in hot water parameters during Monday morning rather than a prolonged service interruption. The company coordinated the manoeuvres so that the shutdown covers the night from Sunday to Monday, the interval with the lowest weekly thermal energy demand.
After Apa Nova completes its works, scheduled for approximately 05:00 on Monday, ELCEN teams will immediately resume supply and prepare the installations for restart. CET Grozăvești will gradually return to operation, with normal hot-water supply parameters expected to be fully restored by 12:00 on Monday 17 August.
ELCEN teams will immediately resume supply and prepare the installations after the completion of Apa Nova's works on Monday morning, so that by 12:00, CET Grozăvești will return to normal supply parameters.
Broader context
The intervention is part of efforts to modernise and maintain Bucharest's water supply infrastructure. ELCEN stated it will do everything possible to keep discomfort for the capital's residents to a minimum. The works affect the area served by CET Grozăvești, one of ELCEN's thermal plants supplying hot water to Bucharest consumers through the Termoenergetica distribution network.
