power line undergrounding

Fast-track procedures in place for power line undergrounding

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The energy ministry, striving to replace overhead power lines with underground networks for the infrastructure’s protection following recent fire-related damages, preceded by snowstorm damages last winter, has taken measures to clear the way of any possible bureaucratic delays and is also seeking to secure additional funds for the undergrounding work.

Legislative revisions recently ratified in Parliament include a measure facilitating fast-track power line undergrounding by operators through forest land without them having to wait for approval from forestry officials, which has been customary practice.

As a result, distribution network operator DEDDIE/HEDNO and power grid operator IPTO can now proceed with power line undergrounding projects without delay or cancellation risks. This applies for both new power line networks and replacement of older ones.

The country has, at its disposal, EU Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) money totaling 187 million euros for power line projects.

However, given the average cost of power line network undergrounding, estimated at 85,000 euros per kilometer, the aforementioned RRF amount would suffice for the development of about 2,200 kilometers, just a tiny fraction of the country’s existing overhead power lines.

Besides the RRF, the energy ministry is also considering to exhaust funding support possibilities through the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) for the power line undergrounding expansion projects, now regarded as essential due to the growing impact of the climate change crisis.

NSRF possibilities considered for power line undergrounding

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Energy ministry officials intend to examine National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) funding possibilities for power line network undergrounding, triple the cost of overhead power lines, following the recent destructive fires around the country.

The country has specific EU Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) money, totaling 187 million euros, at its disposal for power line projects.

Given the average cost for power line network undergrounding, at 85,000 euros per kilometer, factoring in low and medium-voltage prices, the aforementioned RRF amount would be enough to develop about 2,200 kilometers, just a tiny fraction of distribution network operator DEDDIE/HEDNO’s total network. Undergrounding the country’s entire network would require an estimated 18.3 billion euros.

The high cost has limited the country’s power line undergrounding plans for the next five years to approximately 2,150 kilometers.

The operator has already undergrounded 10 percent of its 240,000-kilometer network, leaving a further 216,000 kilometers for potential undergrounding.

Overhead medium-voltage power line development costs approximately 30,000 euros per kilometer. Overhead low-voltage lines cost 25,000 euros per kilometer, compared to 70,000 euros for undergrounding.

Given the increased threat of forest fires brought about by hotter temperatures attributed to the climate change crisis, power line network undergrounding would provide protection to the network.