It was put into operation the second electrical interconnection between Greece and BulgariaADMIE announced today, pointing out that the new Transmission Line significantly increases the margin of energy exchanges between the two countries, respectively upgrading the possibilities of cross-border trade and energy security in SE Europe and the Balkan Peninsula.

The transmission of energy through the new 400 kV Ultra High Voltage Line began on Friday, June 30, following the cooperation of the Transmission System Operators of the two countries for the start of the trial operation.

In the next period, permanent working group staffed by all the Operators of the region, will determine the new, gradually increasing, available amounts of transport capacity on the Greece-Bulgaria border and from the end of the summer season the new Line is estimated to start contributing to cross-border trade.

The total length of the international interconnection starting from the Nea Santas substation in Rodopi and ending at the Maritsa East Substation in Bulgaria amounts to 151 km, of which 29 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 from the beginning of its planning in the Ten-Year Development Program of the Organization of European Operators ENTSO-E as well as in the list of Projects of Common Interest (PCI) of the European Union.

On the occasion of the electrification of the new international interconnection, the Minister of Environment and Energy, Theodoros Skylakakis, said:

“The second, international electrical interconnection of Greece-Bulgaria of ultra-high voltage, 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 connections will follow, which will further upgrade our country on the European energy map.”

The President and CEO of ADMIE Manos Manousakis, stated:

“ADMIE in cooperation with the Bulgarian Administrator have completed an important energy project that greatly increases the interconnectivity of the two countries and strengthens the sufficiency at the regional level. The second international interconnection between Greece and Bulgaria will allow us to make better use of the green energy produced in the region and will contribute to strengthening the European electricity market. With the strategic goal of upgrading the country on the European energy map, in the coming years ADMIE is launching new international interconnections with all the neighboring states and at the same time supporting the major intercontinental interconnection projects in the Eastern Mediterranean, with a focus on Greece”.