In the presence of Assistant Minister for Energy and Environment Domagoj Validžić, President of the Management Board of Hrvatska elektroprivreda Frane Barbarić, President of the Management Board of the Croatian Transmission System Operator Tomislav Plavšić, Managing Director of Siemens Energy Boris Miljavac and other esteemed guests, the representative of the Croatian PM Health Minister Vili Beroš opened the works on the construction of the static var compensator (SVC) facility as part of the EU SINCRO.GRID smart grid project. 'I would like to congratulate all who have participated and worked tirelessly on delivery of all SINCRO.GRID projects to date and all those who will be engaged in future ones, in particular the projects we are privileged to be in the presence of today - Konjsko and Sućidar substations. Development of quality infrastructure strengthens the security of the energy system and entire Croatia, has a positive effect on all business sectors, while modern medicine cannot be imagined without functional technology. This is an excellent example of a domestic project based on innovative technology, competitive and recognized internationally. I am glad to say that HEP Group did some great work on withdrawing EU funds for this project, the area in which the Croatian Government also excelled. Even more, this project showed that we as a country possess knowledge, brains and abilities for the most complex projects', said Health Minister Vili Beroš.
This EU's most innovative smart grid project has been participated by Croatian and Slovenian transmission and distribution system operators. The project total value of EUR 90 million is subsidized by the European Fund for the Strategic Investments in the amount of EUR 40.5 million. Croatian investments amount to 200 million kuna.
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In the last three years HEP Group withdrew about a billion kuna from EU funds. This project is a proof of our unhesitant continuation of going forward with the 2020 investment plan delivery even during the crisis, with the most ambitious plan in the history of HEP set at almost five billion kuna. Special attention is paid to the security of supply on our islands. In the next five years we will invest almost half a billion kuna in establishing energy connections among Croatian islands. At the same time, we are planning and delivering a number of solar power plant projects in cooperation with local communities on the islands. Our numerous other wind and solar power plant projects are in various construction and preparation stages. A strong rise of the RES share in the near future will represent an increasing challenge in the operation of the Croatian electric power system. This is why this very project, SINCRO.GRID, will among other things facilitate a more efficient integration of renewable energy sources', said the President of HEP's Management Board Frane Barbarić.
The SINCRO.GRID implementation means the use of advanced technical systems and power flow management algorithms in electromagnetic systems with the goal of improving the voltage quality and increasing the transmission capacity of existing power lines.
'Six years ago we joined forces with distribution partners as well as Croatian and Slovenian transmission system operators to mutually find the way for balancing and ensuring the stability of the electric power system in both countries. This resulted in SINCRO.GRID – the international smart grid development cooperation project. Four key project sections are planned for Croatia. Today we mark a formal launch of works on one of them – Konjsko substation', said President of HOPS Management Board Tomislav Plavšić.
Konjsko substation, the biggest transmission system facility in Dalmatia, will receive the cutting edge SVC facility, the first of its kind in the region and beyond. The works, which value is set at HRK 105 m, will be carried out by Siemens Energy, while the domestic industry will account for 65 percent of the investment. The works completion is expected in late November 2021. Other SINCO.GRID project sections in Croatia include a compensation device in Mraclin substation operational since January 2020, a compensation device in Melina substation near Rijeka which completion is expected until year end, and the joint virtual control center project which will represent a unique innovative solution in coordinated voltage regulation across Croatia and Slovenia. The key mission of said control center will be focused on harmonizing the operation of three reactive power compensation devices.
After the launch ceremony at Konjsko substation, guests visited Sućidar substation to see the progress of the works which are conducted a s part of the second phase of the Programme for supplying power to the city of Split. In addition to the earlier erected Dobri substation, Sućidar substation will be of key importance in securing the safe and quality supply of energy to the city of Split. The capacity of the new 110 kV GIS Sućidar substation is 3x40 MW at 110/20 kV voltage. This joint venture of Croatian transmission system operator (HOPS) and Croatian Distribution System Operator (HEP ODS), total value of HRK 110 million i.e. HRK120 million with the distribution cable node, will facilitate the abandonment of the 50-year-old outdoor 110/35 kV facility. Works completion is expected in the second quarter 2022.
