The Trans-Balkan Electricity Corridor represents a significant step towards energy integration of the region, increasing energy security and efficiency and provides the basis for further development of renewable energy sources, and the substation Lastva, with its advanced technology and key role in the transmission network, is a symbol of the successful implementation of this ambitious project.
This was assessed during the visit of representatives of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), who were welcomed by representatives of Crnogorski elektroprenosni sistem (CGES), to SS Lastva,
The representative of CGES, the project manager for the construction of this substation, Aleksa Knežević, said that the visit to SS Lastva, which is one of the most important substations in the Montenegrin electric power system, is an opportunity to reflect on the significant goals and successes of the Trans-Balkan Electricity Corridor.
"This project, part of a wider initiative, aims to improve the energy interconnection between Montenegro, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and their connection with neighbouring countries. In the end, this will lead to the formation of a regional electricity market in the Western Balkans," Knežević explained.
He stated that the goals and advantages of the project are: enabling the connection of additional renewable energy sources, increasing the security of electricity supply and reducing transmission network losses.
Speaking about key projects and technological innovations, Knežević said that for the submarine interconnection project between Montenegro and Italy, Terna laid 423 kilometres of submarine cable, connecting the converter stations in Lastva and Cepagatti in Italy.
"Work on the substation Lastva began in 2014, and it was commissioned in 2018. The total cost is 35.7 million euros, financed by a KfW loan and CGES' own funds," Knežević said.
He explained that SS Lastva uses GIS equipment, power transformers with a nominal power of 300 MWA and 20 MWA, and modern equipment for control and protection.
Speaking about ongoing projects, Knežević said that the installation of a variable shunt reactor is underway, stating that the value of the project is 14.5 million euros. The project was partly financed by EBRD loans in the amount of nine million euros, while the rest was provided by CGES' own funds.
Knežević emphasised that the implementation of the projects for the construction of the substation Lastva and associated overhead lines was challenging for CGES from a technical and financial point of view, but that thanks to the cooperation with colleagues, consultants, contractors and banks, all obstacles were successfully overcome.
"Today, five years after the commissioning of the first components of the project, we can safely say that we are more than satisfied because this project has a key role in achieving record business results of CGES", Knežević said.
He assessed that the project is an example of how cooperation between financial institutions and energy companies can result in specific, sustainable and long-term benefits for the community.
"We used this opportunity not only to improve the infrastructure, but also to increase energy efficiency and safety, which is of key importance for economic growth and the quality of life of all our citizens", Knežević stated.
The visit on behalf of CGES was attended by Dragan Perunović, the Director of the Development and Investment Sector, and Nikola Mugoša, Assistant Director of Elektroprenos, while the delegation before the EBRD was made up of board members: Rosmarie Schlup, Yasemin Girici, Shigeto Hiki, Katherine Allen, Miglė Tuskienė, Andrew Smith, Alon Messer, Karina Karaivanova and Jan Willem van den Wall Bake.
On behalf of the EBRD management, the substation Lastva was visited by: Matteo Colangeli, regional Director for the Western Balkans, Remon Zakaria, Head of the EBRD in Montenegro, Oleg Levitin, Head of Political Affairs, and Isida Konomi from the board and institutional affairs.