Sub-station upgrades to maximize RES grid connections

Distribution network operator DEDDIE/HEDNO is closely examining the country’s power grid to determine which sub-stations it will choose to upgrade, the objective being to offer grid links to a greater number of RES projects.

The operator also intends to upgrade sub-stations in areas where investment interest for RES installations is high.

Grid capacity limits are already exhausted in areas where RES development has been extensive, especially when concerning RES technologies other than photovoltaics.

As part of the upgrade, the operator intends to modernize all necessary equipment at each substation, the cost of which it considers manageable.

Also, the operator will carry out studies to determine necessary network interventions close to each substation, especially replacement of conductors with small cross sections.

Energy communities, business PVs to gain from freed capacity

The energy ministry is considering to offer half of a 2.5-GW amount in freed grid capacity resulting from an increase of capacity limits at existing substations to three self-producing categories.

Residential RES producers would, according to the ministry’s plan, be offered 40 percent of this freed 1.25-GW capacity, self-producing farmers will be eligible for a 30 percent share, while the other 30 percent will be reserved for self-producers in the secondary and tertiary sectors, as well as energy communities.

The other 1.25 GW of the 2.5-GW capacity total is planned to be allocated exclusively to companies qualifying for subsidy programs supporting PV installations.

Also, the power generation limit is planned to be maintained at 10 KW for residential producers and increased to 100 KW for all other aforementioned categories.

Operator starts grid substation upgrades, to offer RES units 1,750 MW

Power grid operator IPTO has begun upgrading low and medium-voltage substations around the country to facilitate new RES unit connections to the grid.

The overall effort, expected to create additional grid capacity for RES units totaling 1,750 MW, is still at its early stages. So far, two of 33 substation upgrades have been completed, according to energypress sources.

The upgrade is budgeted at 30 million euros, of which 12 million euros is planned to be provided through the recovery fund.

The 1,750 MW in RES unit connections to be enabled by the operator’s substation upgrades represents nearly 40 percent of a 4,640-MW RES capacity estimated to be needed for the National Energy and Climate Plan to reach its energy-mix goals.

The upgrade work promises to increase substation capacity by 250 MVA in the Peloponnese and Epirus regions, by 100 MVA in the wider Athens area, by 200 MVA in central Greece, and by 250 MVA in north and northeastern Greece’s Macedonia and Thrace regions.

All contracts for the substation upgrades are expected to have been awarded by the fourth quarter in 2023, while all work is scheduled to be completed by the fourth quarter in 2025.

 

Operator network boost for 1,750 MW in new RES entries

Distribution network operator DEDDIE/HEDNO will use Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) funds to cover a considerable proportion of an investment for capacity boosts at certain existing low and medium-voltage substations around the country to facilitate the entry of new RES units.

The capacity boost at these substations, it is estimated, will enable grid entry for new RES units with a total capacity of approximately 1,755 MW.

This prospective RES addition represents nearly 40 percent of the 4,640 MW in new RES unit entries planned for the achievement of National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) RES penetration goals.

This DEDDIE/HEDNO investment will cost close to 30 million euros, of which 12 million euros will stem from the RRF.

Substations in the Peloponnese and Epirus, northwestern Greece, will be boosted by 250 MVA. Substations in the wider Athens area will be boosted by 100 MVA, such facilities in central Greece will be boosted by 200 MVA, and Macedonia and Thrace units in the north will be boosted by 250 MVA.

All project contracts are expected to have been finalized by the fourth quarter of 2023, while the projects are scheduled to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2025.