Promoting efficient cross-border electricity flows has become essential for countries to ensure long-term energy security and to advance opportunities for scaling up climate change mitigation measures. In addition, fostering a diversified and resilient energy system and strengthening international cooperation facilitates sustainable economic growth and market integration.
In response to strategic objectives of the Montenegrin Electric Transmission System (CGES) and the Electric Network of Serbia (EMS) to address the property-legal relations in accordance with European practice and to increase the transmission capacity between the two countries, CONNECTA 2 undertook a pre-feasibility study and initial environmental and social examination for splitting the Mojkovac – Pljevlja 2 transmission line on the territory of Serbia.
The high-voltage transmission line ‘Substation Mojkovac – Substation Pljevlja 2’ is an internal line of the Montenegrin transmission system where a part of the line passes over the territory of Serbia. The line consists of several sections, namely: exit Mojkovac (MNE), Mojkovac – Bijelo Polje (MNE), Bijelo Polje – Velika Župa (SRB) and Velika Župa – Pljevlja (MNE). By building/upgrading the necessary transmission infrastructure – including a new substation or a new switchyard, two new interconnecting transmission lines between Montenegro and Serbia could be formed.
The comprehensive study carried out by CONNECTA 2 Team resulted in:
- A set of four distinct, high-quality transmission system development variants for the year 2030;
- Development of realistic and technically viable scenarios;
- An assessment report outlining ongoing and planned investment projects along the Trans-Balkan Corridor, impact on system reliability and regional connectivity and potential for enhanced cross-border electricity exchange;
- Technical and economic feasibility analysis of using High-Temperature Low Sag (HTLS) conductors on existing lines;
- Side-by-side comparison of the four chosen variants with a clear recommendation of the optimal variant;
- Splitting the line and directly introducing the two sections into SS Bistrica, resulting in a 220 kV OHL between SS Pljevlja 2 and SS Bistrica and a 220 kV OHL between SS Bistrica and SS Mojkovac. This is the preferred development option.
The implementation of this project will directly support both CGES and EMS to safely and compliantly operate their transmission systems within the interconnected ENTSO-E (the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity) regional network. Furthermore, the application of the proposed technical solutions would expand the flexibility and capacity of the national networks – crucial for better integration of renewable energy sources which are in both countries characterised by high increase.
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Additional information on the assignment can be obtained by contacting Ole Johansen, CONNECTA 2 Clean Energy Key Expert, at ole.johansen@connecta-ta.eu.
