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A pair of neighboring projects for twin pumped storage hydropower systems are under development in northern Greece. Terna Energy has received a green light from the competent ministry for the first part of its Vrohonera endeavor.
Not long after investors from the Katselis family received environmental terms, so-called AEPOs, for their twin pumped storage hydropower project Flampouro and Trani Vrachi in northern Greece, the Ministry of Environment and Energy issued a green light for the first of two parts of the nearby Vrohonera endeavor as well. Terna Energy, owned by Masdar, is developing the projects for the latter ones.
The Agia Varvara artificial lake would be used as the lower reservoir for both facilities. It is upstream from the other two sites, on Greece’s longest river, Haliacmon or Aliakmonas.
Vrohonera, or Vrochonera, is southeast of the city of Veria in the Imathia regional unit of Central Macedonia. Terna Energy’s twin project dates back to 2010 at the latest. In February 2021, it received the so-called producer certificates.
The site for Vrohonera 1 is south of the Agia Varvara reservoir. The pumped storage hydropower plant would have 450 MW in generation capacity, in three equal turbines. It plans 537 MW in pumping mode, according to the AEPO. It compares to 401 MW and 372 MW, respectively, from the 2021 paperwork, in which the company envisaged two turbines and two pumps.
Upper reservoirs of Vrohonera designed to store 8 GWh overall
As for Vrohonera 2, Terna Energy initially proposed 131.5 MW on the production side, with two units, and two pumps totaling 217.8 MW.
Together they are part of the development plan of the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E), listed as Vrochonera. Here the first part would have 424 MW in turbining capacity and 377 for pumping. The other one is 351 MW and 344 MW, respectively.
The project page shows upper reservoirs of 1.82 and 1.62 million cubic meters, totaling 8 GWh of storage. A joint power station would house seven units. The complex is seen with a 73% efficiency and an operating life of 50 years.
Terna Energy marked 2031 for commissioning. The investment is valued at EUR 1.1 billion.
Terna Energy has two more pumped storage hydropower projects on ENTSO-E list
Masdar’s subsidiary is building the Amfilochia pumped storage hydropower plant in Greece. It is also on ENTSO-E’s list, due for completion this year, as is a joint project with Public Power Corp. (PPC Group). They expect to complete the Ladonas pumped storage facility, of 220 MW in generation mode and 231 MW for pumping, in 2032.
In the ENTSO-E version, it is 225 MW for production and 230.7 MW in pumping mode. The facility would be able to store 2 GWh.
In addition, Terna Energy is working on the Amari pumped storage and wind power hybrid in Crete, Greece’s biggest island.
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