Starting today, 1 April 2026, Hidroelectrica has initiated the process of controlled refilling of the Vidraru reservoir, in line with the drainage and refilling schedule approved as part of the Vidraru Hydropower Complex refurbishment and modernization project.
The resumption of water storage marks an important milestone in the project and comes after the completion of works on the water intake structure and the bottom outlet. Refilling is carried out in a controlled, step-by-step manner, by gradually taking over the tributary inflows, while continuously monitoring the performance of the hydraulic structures and the water quality parameters, with a particular focus on turbidity.
In the first stage, the Topolog catchment will be brought back into operation, as it is the only tributary that naturally discharges into the Olt River basin. The Limpedea and Valea lui Stan secondary intakes will remain temporarily diverted until turbidity levels fall within acceptable limits, in order to ensure both the dilution of the discharged flows and the uninterrupted water supply to the population.
At the same time, spillway no. 1 of the Vidraru Dam will remain open, with an estimated discharge of between 2 and 6 cubic metres per second, to secure the water supply to the city of Curtea de Argeș until the flood season, when the secondary intakes will be able to take over this function.
The refilling process is expected to be completed by October 2026, depending on this year's hydrological conditions and on the natural flow regime of the tributaries.
The refurbishment project of the Vidraru hydropower plant, signed in 2024, is valued at approximately EUR 188 million (excluding VAT) and has an implementation period of about seven years, aiming at the complete modernization of the equipment and the enhancement of operational safety.
The Vidraru hydropower plant has an installed capacity of 220 MW and an average annual electricity generation of around 400 GWh. Lake Vidraru has a total volume of about 465 million cubic metres of water, of which some 320 million cubic metres represent usable storage, making it one of the largest reservoirs in Romania. Through this project,
Hidroelectrica aims to improve operational efficiency, extend the service life of its equipment and strengthen the strategic role of the Vidraru Hydropower Complex in ensuring Romania's energy security.