Estimation of benefits by interconnection of Bulgarian and Greek electricity networks

The economic development in the Balkan region requires the utilization of low cost and environment friendly electricity in all economic sectors and activities. The current development of the power generation systems, transmission networks and distribution systems in the region has been mostly based on autonomous expansion plans for each country. These plans neither take advantage of, nor consider the collaboration opportunities that do exist in the region. They are limited only to periodic and short-term power exchanges. The synchronous interconnection of the Bulgarian and Greek electricity networks will have considerable benefits for both countries. These benefits appear in the form of investment savings, increased reliability and quality of supply, diversities in peak loads, reduction of transmission system losses and opportunities for electricity trade. The paper provides an estimation of the above mentioned benefits by using the IRP-Manager model. It has been developed by the US company Electric Power Software. Since 1995 the model is implemented in the Bulgarian National Electricity Company for the least cost expansion planning of the power sector development