The Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network Operator (HEDNO or DEDDIE) completed a large project funded from the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) via the National Recovery and Resilience Plan Greece 2.0.
Overall, 14 high-voltage and medium-voltage substations throughout the country have been reconstructed, adding a combined 725 MVA. This will allow the addition of new renewable energy plants and the continuation of the energy transition, based on the National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) for 2030. It is the largest such program carried out so far in Greece, CEO Anastasios Manos said.
HEDNO pointed out that the timeframe was especially challenging. The project began in July 2022 and was completed in less than four years, amid different technical needs across the regions.
So far, 150/20 kV substations have been expanded by 50 MVA each in Ioannina, Florina, Eordaia, Domokos, Pylos and Oinofyta. Equal upgrades were made in high-voltage substations in Meliti and Filippoi. A larger increase, by 75 MVA, was completed in Megara.
Under the same program, five more substations are about to become operational, with 50 MVA more apiece. They are high-voltage systems in Aracthos and Trikala, and stations in Skydra, Spercheiada and Magiko at the level of 150/20 kV.
Many more network upgrades by 2030
Based on HEDNO’s five-year investment plan, EUR 4.79 billion will be spent to carry out 204 projects. They include strengthening the distribution network against extreme weather effects, connecting new users and upgrading high- and medium-voltage lines and substations.
This last category will absorb EUR 991 million by the end of this decade. About 70 more such projects are currently in the planning or auctioning stage, HEDNO added.
