Bulgarian transmission modernisation project GREENABLER gets first funding
ESO executive director Angelin Tsachev (left) shakes hands with Bulgarian Caretaker Minister of Energy Vladimir Malinov. Image courtesy Bulgaria ESO
Bulgaria Electricity System Operator (ESO) has signed a contract with the country’s Ministry of Energy for the implementation of the first group of investments under the GREENABLER project, which aims to modernise the power transmission network and increase its transmission capacity.
The Sustainable Adaptation of the National Electricity Transmission Network for Full Integration of the Potential for Renewable Energy Production project, otherwise known as GREENABLER, is being implemented by the Electricity System Operator with a total value of €857 million ($887.8 million) from the EU’s Modernisation Fund.
The large-scale investment aims to adapt the national electricity transmission network to fully integrate the potential for renewable energy production.
The project is divided into different groups of activities, the first of which includes the reconstruction of 720km of existing power lines to increase their nominal voltage from 220kV to 400kV and synchronised reconstruction of the adjacent substations from 220/110 kV to 400/110 kV.
This group of activities has a total budget of €568 million ($588.4 million) and is planned for phased financing from the Modernisation Fund over the next seven years.
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The following groups of investments include the reconstruction of the Hemus – Stara Planina power line from 220kV to 400kV, reconstruction of nearly 890km of 110kV powerlines and doubling of over 92km of 110kV powerlines in order to increase the capacity of the power transmission network.
Planned investments in these activities amount to €225 million ($233.1 million), of which €203 million ($210.3 million) is proposed for financing under the RePowerEU chapter of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. The remaining funds required for the implementation of the project will be provided by ESO.
The European Commission allocated €65 million in 2024 for the implementation of the activities envisaged in the first stage of the project. ESO launched the pre-investment and preparatory activities with its own funds, and a contract for the implementation of the EIA procedures has been concluded.
Said ESO executive director Angelin Tsachev at the signing of the contract with the Ministry of Energy: “The implementation of the GREENABLER project is of key importance for the development of the electricity transmission infrastructure in response to the goals of achieving low emission energy. Thanks to it, the connection process will be facilitated, which will create indirect assistance to all investors in renewable capacities, stabilise the transmission network and benefit all consumers.”
Added Bulgarian Caretaker Minister of Energy Vladimir Malinov: “The projects implemented with the help of the Modernisation Fund will contribute to increasing the transmission capacity of the electricity transmission network and will enable the connection of more renewable sources. All of these are undeniable benefits for both the more efficient work of the operators themselves and their customers.”
