ESO-EAD

IPTO: New Greece-Bulgaria electrical interconnection completed

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Athens, July 3 2023

IPTO and the Operator of the Bulgarian Electricity Transmission System ESO EAD energized the new, international ultra-high voltage 400 kV electrical interconnection between Greece and Bulgaria. Energy transmission through the new Line commenced on Friday, June 30th, after the close cooperation of the competent personnel of the Transmission System Operators of the two countries for the start of the trial operation.

This is the second Transmission Line connecting the two countries, which significantly increases the margin for energy exchanges between the neighboring systems of Greece and Bulgaria, respectively upgrading the possibilities of cross-border trade and energy security in SE Europe and the Balkan Peninsula. In the following period, a permanent working group staffed by all Operators in the region, will determine the new, gradually increasing, available amounts of transmission capacity on the Greece-Bulgaria border and from the end of the summer season the new Line is expected to start contributing to the cross-border trade.

The total length of the international interconnection, which starts from Nea Santa EHVC in Rodopi and ends at Maritsa East Substation in Bulgaria amounts to 151 km, out of which approximately 30 km extend within the Greek Territory.

The second interconnection between Greece and Bulgaria, the domestic part of which cost 11.3 million euros, is a project of pan-European interest that was included since the beginning of its planning in the Ten-Year Development Program (TYNDP) of ENTSO-E as well as in the list of Projects of Common Interest (PCI) of the European Union.

On the occasion of the new international interconnection’s electrification, the Minister of Environment and Energy, Mr. Theodoros Skylakakis, stated:

“The second, international ultra-high voltage electrical interconnection of Greece-Bulgaria, is an important energy project of pan-European interest. The immediate benefits of this cooperation include: enhancing cross-border trade and strengthening energy security in Southeast Europe and the Balkan Peninsula. More international interconnections will follow, which will further upgrade our country on the European energy map“.

The Chairman and CEO of IPTO Mr. Manos Manousakis, stated:

“IPTO in cooperation with the Bulgarian Operator have completed an important energy project that greatly increases the interconnectivity of the two countries and strengthens adequacy on a regional level. The second international interconnection between Greece and Bulgaria will allow us to better utilize the green energy produced in the region and will contribute to the reinforcement of the European electricity market. With a strategic goal to upgrade the country’s position on the European energy map, over the coming years IPTO is launching new international interconnections with all neighboring states while at the same time supports major intercontinental interconnection projects in the Eastern Mediterranean, with Greece being the main hub“.

Southeast Europe network coordination center working on launch

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The Southeast Electricity Network Coordination Center (SEleNe CC), established in Thessaloniki to support regional network security in southeast Europe, is currently recruiting personnel and installing technical equipment required for its operations.

All necessary equipment is expected to be installed at the center’s Thessaloniki headquarters by the end of September, energypress sources have informed. The objective is to have prepared the center as a fully operational unit by the end of the year.

The new regional center was established following years of efforts by the power grid operators of Greece (IPTO), Italy (TERNA SpA), Romania (Transelectrica), and Bulgaria (ESO-EAD), each holding equal shares.

It is managed by a four-member board comprising Ioannis Kabouris (IPTO), the chief executive, and three members, Angelin Tsachev (ESO-EAD), Enrico Maria Carlini (TERNA SpA), and Adrian Suta (Transelectrica).

The coupling of respective markets, expected soon, will represent a next step in the region’s harmonization and incorporation into Europe’s unified electricity market, promising major benefits for consumers, Kabouris, the chief executive, has noted.

IPTO: Thessaloniki RSC headquarters for southeast Europe in July

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A Regional Security Coordinator (RSC) role for Thessaloniki planned by Greek power grid operator IPTO with its Romanian and Bulgarian peers, Transelectrica and ESO-EAD, respectively, will be ready for launch, from its headquarters in the northern Greek city, in the first week of July, energypress sources have informed.

IPTO chief executive Manos Manousakis has declared the headquarters for southeast Europe’s RSC will be in Thessaloniki.

The Thessaloniki RSC plan was established by the Greek, Romanian and Bulgarian operators following years of negotiations with ENTSO-E, the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity.

According to EU law, all European operators must, as of 2020, hand over a list of responsibilities to one regional security coordinator with headquarters at an EU member state.

These responsibilities include capacity calculation coordination, common network model development and regional security coordination.

Thessaloniki RSC autonomy threatened by ACER plan

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A Regional Security Coordinator (RSC) for electricity in southeast Europe formed by Greece’s power grid operator IPTO with its Romanian and Bulgarian peers, Transelectrica and ESO-EAD, respectively, before Italy’s grid operator also joined and a decision was reached to establish Thessaloniki as its headquarters, is in jeopardy of losing is independence and operating as a subsidiary of a centralized unit covering all of Europe.

This plan has been proposed by ACER, Europe’s Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators, energypress sources have informed.

More specifically, ENTSO-E, the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity, had proposed a plan entailing the establishment of four regional centers, prompting the partnership between Greece, Bulgaria and Romania.

However, ACER now supports that new regulations call for a more coordinated solution that considers all of Europe as one security operational region. Particular regional needs could be dealt with through subsidiaries, according to ACER.

A decision is expected in April. The ACER proposal has alarmed Greek authorities as its adoption would undermine efforts made by IPTO, Greece’s power grid operator, the energy ministry and RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, to establish an independent center.