Energy Union: EU funds a new 140 km electricity line in Bulgaria

The Commission considers energy infrastructure projects in Bulgaria and its neighbouring member states a priority for the Energy Union. Today,the European Commission has allocated €29.9 million to the construction of a new 140 km electricity line between Dobrudja and Burgas in Bulgaria.By transmitting wind and photovoltaic energy, the power line will integrate renewables in the electricity market. The European support will also enhance the capacity of the Bulgarian electricity grid and strengthen its resilience. The electricity line is a “project of common interest” and it belongs to the so-called ‘Black Sea Corridor’ project cluster: three electricity lines which will reinforce the electricity transmission corridor along the Romanian and Bulgarian coast, as well as between the rest of Europe and Turkey. The EU support in Bulgaria will contribute to reinforce security of electricity supply, integrate renewable energy in the electricity market, and to increase future power exchanges, in view of the expected wind power from Greece and photovoltaic energy from South Bulgaria. Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy Miguel Arias Cañete said: “The new Bulgarian line will increase the power exchanges in the area, and will allow the transmission of a new wave of clean energy from South-Eastern Europe. This in line with the Energy Union strategy, which aims at securing and integrating energy markets while ensuring sustainable energy for citizens and enterprises”. The EU support to the new Bulgarian electricity line corresponds to 50% of the needed funding. The new electricity line will be constructed by the Bulgarian Transmission System Operator (TSO) Elektroenegrien Sistemen Operator EAD and it is expected to be operational by 2022. Till 2020 a total of €5.35 billion is allocated to European priority projects under the Connecting Europe Facility. When completed, the projects will ensure significant benefits for at least two Member States, enhance security of supply, contribute to market integration and further competition as well as reduce CO₂ emissions. Find the list of all projects receiving EU support under Connecting Europe. Furthermore, the Investment Plan for Europe (EFSI) has already boosted infrastructure investment in the energy sector.