PCI Cluster 3.7. “- between Maritsa East-Nea Santa”

Interconnection Bulgaria - Greece and internal reinforcement in Bulgaria

PCI Cluster 3.7 “Bulgaria-Greece between Maritsa East-Nea Santa” is a part of the North-South Corridor and includes the following projects: 3.7.1. Interconnection between Maritsa East (BG) and Nea Santa (GR) 3.7.2 Internal line between Maritsa East and 3.7.3 Internal line between Maritsa East and Maritsa East 3 3.7.4 Internal line between Maritsa East and 3.7.4

3.7.2 3.7.3 Objectives, PCI Cluster 3.7: The project cluster concerns the construction of a new AC 400kV interconnection between Bulgaria and 3.7.1 Greece and 3 new AC 400kV overhead lines at the south part of Bulgaria. This cluster will increase cross border transfer capacity between Bulgaria and Greece and contribute to the safe evacuation of renewable energy in the region.

Source: ENTSO-E TYNDP 2018, Project 142, Project Sheet

CESEC electricity plenary meeting Brussels, 09 October 2019 PCI Cluster 3.7., Progress achieved 3.7.1. Interconnection between Maritsa East (BG) and Nea Santa (EL)

 Project promoter: Elektroenergien Sistemen Operator – ESO & Independent Power Transmission Operator - IPTO  Project description: An overhead 400kV AC line with an approximate length of 152 km (123 km on Bulgarian territory and 29 km on Greek territory)  Financing: Project is co-financed by CEF for studies on Bulgarian and Greek territory and for works on Bulgarian territory  Expected commisioning year: 2023  Progress – implementation according to the schedule:

 on Bulgarian territory – Final Development Plan, Detailed Design, Environmental Impact Assessment are implemented and approved; and land acquisition procedures are in progress; on-going procurement procedure for selection of construction contractors; selected Construction Supervision Contractor;  on Greek territory – Approval of the notification from the Directorate General of Strategic Investments: 29/5/2015; Final technical study of the line: 31/10/2016; Study of access roads and access roads crossing forests: 31/05/2016; Completion of the public consultation and transparency activities: 30/06/2016; Environmental Impact Assessment Approval: 22/02/2018; Construction Protocol by the Decentralized Administration of Macedonia-, General Division of Forestry and Agricultural Affairs issued: 16/04/2019.

 Next steps:  on Bulgarian territory – construction permit; finalization of procurement procedure and start of the construction in the beginning of 2020;  on Greek territory - procurement procedure for selection of contractors for the construction of the line.

CESEC electricity plenary meeting Brussels, 09 October 2019 PCI Cluster 3.7., Progress achieved 3.7.2 Internal line between Maritsa East and Plovdiv 3.7.3 Internal line between Maritsa East and Maritsa East 3 3.7.4 Internal line between Maritsa East and Burgas

 Project promoter: Elektroenergien Sistemen Operator EAD  Project description: Internal overhead 400 kV lines with total length of approx. 260 km: PCI 3.7.2 - 94 km; PCI 3.7.3 – 13 km; PCI 3.7.4 –150 km;  Financing: All internal lines are co-financed for pre-investment studies by CEF; PCI 3.7.4 is co-financed for construction by CEF; PCI 3.7.2 is co- financed for construction by Kozloduy International Decommissioning Support Fund.  Progress - implementation according to the schedule:  permitting and land acquisition procedures completed for all of the lines - construction permits are issued;  PCI 3.7.3 and PCI 3.7.4 - under construction; first erected pillars in August 2019.  Expected commisioning year: 2021  Next steps: Finalization of the procurement procedure for the selection of a contractor for PCI 3.7.2 in accordance with EBRD procurement rules and start of the construction works in the beginning of 2020.

CESEC electricity plenary meeting Brussels, 09 October 2019