NINE ENERGY PROJECTS IN THE FINAL STRETCH - THEY MAINLY CONCERN THE EAC AND THE TRANSMISSION NETWORK - Filenews 27/10 by Eleftheria Paizanou
Nine critical projects related to the energy sector are estimated to be completed within 2027.
These are projects related to the energy transmission system, which will contribute to the removal of restrictions on the network, with the aim of strengthening electricity adequacy. The projects also include the central energy storage systems of the Cyprus Transmission System Operator.
The Minister of Energy, Michalis Damianou, briefed the members of the Parliamentary Committee on Energy on the progress of the critical projects in the transmission system, which concern the lifting of restrictions due to high short-circuit currents.
Based on data from the EAC, six of the seven critical projects are estimated to be completed next year. According to the Minister of Energy, these are:
– Construction of a new 132 kV "West Vasilikos" transmission substation.
– Connection of Vasilikos, Mari and Kofinou with an overhead line.
– Upgrade of the Kofinos transmission substation.
– Upgrade of the Mari transmission substation from open to closed.
– New Kofinos – Alhambra interconnection.
– Upgrade of the Strovolos transmission substation.
For the seventh critical project, which concerns the new "Kostas Petrou" interconnection in Strovolos, according to the information note of the competent ministry, there is a risk of delay, due to the urban planning project to upgrade Tseriou Avenue.
Central storage systems
At the same time, the Transmission System Operator promotes the implementation of central energy storage systems. These are three storage systems, with a total capacity of 120 MW and a capacity of 400 MWh, which are expected to be completed within 2027, with the scheduled date of issuance of the Take Over Certificate on June 29, 2027.
However, according to the Minister of Energy, the contractor of the project has submitted a request for a four-month extension, which is being examined by the Operator.
As noted, in case of its approval, the completion is postponed to the end of October 2027.
The connection is being accelerated
At the same time, the connection of storage systems and hybrid systems is being accelerated. It is recalled that last July, with a notification by the Minister of Energy, the maturity criteria for the connection priority order were determined. The criteria assign the maximum score to RES units combined with storage, where the storage discharge capacity corresponds to at least 50% of the capacity of the RES unit.
It is noted that the current situation regarding the installation of storage systems in the transmission and distribution system, according to the Operator, is as follows:
- -For the transmission system, the final connection terms (indirect connection to the transmission system) have been issued for five cases of energy storage systems, with a total capacity of 60 MW and a capacity of 190 MWh.
-Also, the preliminary connection terms (indirect connection to the transmission system) have been issued for one case of an energy storage system, with a capacity of 16 MW and a capacity of 100 MWh. - -In addition, preliminary connection conditions (direct connection to the transmission system) have been issued for two storage systems, with a total capacity of 139 MW and a capacity of 280 MWh.
- -At the same time, the implementation of three storage systems under the ownership of the Transmission System Operator, with a total capacity of 120 MW and a capacity of 400 MWh, is being promoted.
- -The issuance of preliminary connection terms for new photovoltaic parks that include two energy storage systems is also being promoted. It is worth noting that the capacity of photovoltaics amounts to 112.4 MW and storage systems to 60 MW, with a capacity of 120 MWh.
- -Regarding the energy distribution system, the final connection terms for the integration of storage in 16 existing RES systems have been issued.
-The preliminary connection terms for eight new RES systems with embedded storage have also been issued, while 92 applications for the integration of storage into existing RES systems are also being examined.
-At the same time, 250 new applications for connecting RES systems with embedded storage are also being examined.
To the State Aid Commissioner
In relation to the new power plants and the storage facility at the Dhekelia power plant, the installation of two units with a capacity of 80 MW is promoted by the end of 2029.
The installation of the first unit is planned for March 2029 and the second for December of the same year.
The EAC requested the financing of the units through the public service obligations. The relevant decision will be taken by the competent minister, in consultation with CERA. On 23 September, the EAC forwarded to the Ministry of Energy the results of a study carried out by a consultancy. In particular, the EAC states that the study concludes that the services to be provided by the new units of Dhekelia are related to the security of supply, the adequacy of power and the reliability of the Cypriot electricity system and can be the subject of services of general economic interest, provided that there is an appropriate award deed.
The Ministry of Energy, after examining the study and receiving additional information, will forward the relevant data to the State Aid Control Commissioner, in order to determine whether they comply with state aid rules.
