Bulgaria’s Electricity System Operator (ESO) has secured a EUR 65 million grant from the Ministry of Energy to kick off the first phase of the “Greenabler” project, designed to adapt the country’s power transmission network for full integration of renewable energy. The Ministry has also signed EUR 101 million in grants to three power distribution companies for network modernization. The Greenabler project, which aims to enhance Bulgaria’s grid, will involve phased financing from the European Union’s (EU) Modernisation Fund over the next seven years.
The first phase of Greenabler, valued at EUR 568 million, includes a EUR 65 million allocation for 2024 from the European Commission. Key investments in this phase include the reconstruction of 720 kilometers of power lines, upgrading them from 220 kV to 400 kV, as well as the modernization of substations. These improvements are expected to boost the grid’s transmission capacity and facilitate the connection of additional renewable energy sources.
Minister of Energy Vladimir Malinov emphasized that projects funded by the Modernisation Fund would significantly enhance the grid’s capabilities, supporting the integration of renewable energy. The Greenabler project, with a total budget of EUR 857 million, is expected to proceed in stages, with EUR 225 million earmarked for the subsequent phases. These phases will involve further upgrades, including the reconstruction of the Hemus-Stara Planina power line, nearly 890 kilometers of 110 kV lines, and the doubling of over 92 kilometers of 110 kV lines.
The Greenabler project aims to provide the technical infrastructure necessary for the integration of 4.5 GW of new renewable energy projects. In addition, the Ministry of Energy has allocated EUR 101 million in grants to three power distribution companies to install smart meters, modernize information systems, and integrate network transformers for automatic voltage regulation. These efforts, also funded by the EU’s Modernisation Fund, are seen as crucial steps towards enhancing the services of both ESO and the distribution companies.
