Europe News

Latest news and developments from Europe

• Macedonian TSO begins work on EUR68 million interconnector with Albania

  May 16, 2013
  Macedonian state-owned transmission network developer Makedonski Elektroprenosni Sistem Operator (MEPSO) has begun preparations for the construction of a EUR68 million interconnector between Bitola in Macedonia and Elbasan in Albania.

• EIB provides EUR190 million for Greece’s power sector

  May 16, 2013
  The European Investment Bank (EIB) has provided a EUR190 million loan to Greece’s state-owned power utility Public Power Corporation (PPC) for strengthening the country’s power sector.

• Greece announces plans for partial privatisation of PPC

  May 16, 2013
  Greece has laid plans for the restructuring and partial sale of state-owned power utility Public Power Corporation (PPC) as a part of the privatisation process being undertaken by the government on the demand of the country's creditors.

• UK and Norwegian TSOs sign agreement for 1,400 MW NSN interconnector

  May 16, 2013
  UK’s transmission system operator (TSO) National Grid and its Norwegian counterpart Statnett have signed an agreement for the development of an undersea interconnector named North Sea Network (NSN).

• Alstom Grid wins EUR5 million contracts in Poland

  May 15, 2013
  Alstom Grid has won two contracts worth EUR5 million from Poland’s Eltel Networks Rzeszów S.A. for the supply of 110 kV and 220 kV gas-insulated switchgears (GIS) in Poland.

• Norway’s Eltek to supply equipment for South-West Link in Sweden [free access]

  May 15, 2013
  Norway-based Eltek has won a contract from Alstom Grid for supply of power equipment for high voltage direct current (HVDC) substations in Sweden. Eltek would provide chargers, inverters and batteries for the South-West Link project.

• Scotland’s Lewis Wind Power submits grid application for Stornoway wind farm

  May 14, 2013
  Lewis Wind Power has submitted an application for the grid connection of the Stornoway wind farm to the UK’s transmission system operator (TSO) National Grid. The company expects to receive the connection offer from the TSO in the summer of 2013.

• Denmark–Netherlands power link further postponed to 2019

  May 13, 2013
  Energinet.dk, Danish TSO has further postponed the completion schedule of the COBRA cable project to 2019, instead of the previously planned 2017. The link would connect the Danish power grid to that of the Netherlands.

• Norwegian government to amend Energy law

  May 13, 2013
  The Norwegian government has submitted a bill to the Parliament suggesting a series of amendments to the country’s Energy Law. As per the amendments, the Norwegian transmission system operator (TSO) Statnett, would be the sole developer and operator of interconnectors in the country. Previously, some projects have been constructed by private companies.

• EBRD provides EUR60 million for Montenegro power grid upgrade

  May 8, 2013
  The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has approved a loan worth EUR60 million to Montenegro for strengthening of the grid that will be part of a future undersea power link of the country with Italy.

• Russian IDGC’s division begins reconstruction of 110 kV Naryshkinskaya substation

  May 7, 2013
  The Orelenergo division of Russian Interregional Distribution and Grid Company (IDGC) of the Centre has started major reconstruction of the 110 kV Naryshkinskaya substation, which is a key energy centre of Uritsky district in the Orel region.

• SSE’s subsidiary signs HV substations’ agreement with ABB-BBES consortium

  May 5, 2013
  Scottish Hydro Electric (SHE) Transmission Plc, a subsidiary of UK-based power generation company SSE Plc (formerly known as Scottish Southern Energy), has signed a five-year agreement with a consortium of ABB and Balfour Beatty Engineering Services (BBES) for supply of high voltage (HV) substations.

• German TSO to prequalify contractors for NORD.LINK project

  May 3, 2013
  German transmission system operator TenneT TSO GmbH is seeking to prequalify contractors for works associated with the NORD.LINK Project, a 1,400 MW, 525 kV high voltage direct current (HVDC) electricity interconnector

• UK’s National Grid awards contracts for GBP650 million substation package

  May 3, 2013
  National Grid, UK’s transmission system operator (TSO), has awarded five contracts worth GBP650 million for the National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) framework.

• ABB energises HVDC convertor station in Germany’s Dörpen West substation

  May 3, 2013
  ABB has energised a high voltage convertor station, based on the launch of its 4th generation high voltage direct current (HVDC) Light technology, at the Dörpen West substation in northern Germany, for the Dutch-German TSO TenneT.

• Italian Terna seeks EUR570 million loan for transmission project from EIB

  May 3, 2013
  Italy’s grid developer and operator Terna S.p.A is seeking a loan worth EUR570 million from the European Investment Bank (EIB) for a project aimed at strengthening the country’s electricity transmission network.

• China Development Bank and Portuguese REN sign refinancing agreement

  May 2, 2013
  Portuguese transmission system operator (TSO) Redes Energéticas Nacionais (REN) has received a loan worth EUR400 million from China Development Bank (CDB).

• German TSOs plan four transmission projects [free access]

  April 30, 2013
  Germany’s four TSOs, namely, TenneT, Amprion, 50Hertz, and TransnetBW have planned to develop four transmission networks across the country, in order to connect renewable energy sources to the grid.

• Spanish REE commissions 400 kV substation in Penarrubia

  April 30, 2013
  Red Electrica de Espana (REE), the Spanish transmission system operator (TSO) has commissioned a 400 kV electricity substation at Penarrubia, in the northern region of Cantabria.

• EIB provides first tranche of funds to Portuguese EDA

  April 29, 2013
  The European Investment Bank (EIB) has provided the first tranche of funds of EUR50 million to Portuguese power company Electricidade dos Açores S.A. (EDA) to support its 2011-2016 investment programme.