CET Vest

Can you feel the hum? That subtle vibration beneath our feet is the pulse of CET Vest. This isn’t just any power plant. CET Vest powers much of Bucharest, a hidden giant quietly working behind the scenes. Officially known as the Bucuresti Vest TPP, CET Vest began operating in 1972, becoming the fourth power plant under Electrocentrale Bucuresti. CET Vest stands as a testament to Romania’s energy ingenuity. In 2009, CET Vest underwent a significant modernization, integrating a combined cycle power plant. This cutting-edge technology, costing over 160 million Euros, marked a milestone. It was the first major energy unit built entirely after the 1990s in Romania, and the nation’s first combined cycle power plant. CET Vest boasts an impressive electrical output of 310 MW, fueled primarily by natural gas. This ensures a constant supply of heat and hot water to six key Bucharest neighborhoods: Drumul Taberei, Giulesti, Crangasi, Militari, Politehnica, and Valea Cascadelor. The plant’s efficiency is remarkable. With a net electric efficiency of 42% and a total central efficiency of 89%, CET Vest stands as ELCEN’s most efficient unit. This is due, in part, to its continuous operation, running 24/7 year-round except for scheduled maintenance. The plant’s core comprises a General Electric gas turbine, a SKODA steam turbine, an Alstom recovery boiler, and a Cooper centrifugal gas compressor. Interestingly, while primarily gas-fired, CET Vest can use fuel-oil as a secondary source. However, this only happens under special conditions, regulated by GD no.440/2010. In 2020, Yokogawa Romania completed a systems upgrade exceeding 1 million Euros. This further enhanced CET Vest’s capabilities and extended its operational lifespan by a decade. The upgrade also improved the energy efficiency of the gas compressor. This ongoing commitment to modernization highlights CET Vest’s importance to Bucharest. CET Vest is more than just a power plant. It’s a symbol of progress, a quiet workhorse powering the city’s heart and home.