The landmark projects that changed IPTO

Of Thanks to Floudopoulos

Launch of investments, implementation of important big projects, design and development of big new projects but also the digital transformation and the entry into new markets compose the image of the IPTO transmission system manager, who in recent years has been transformed into a modern company that helps overall transformation of the Greek energy system.

It is characteristic that only in the last four years IPTO has succeeded in launching investments by launching critical projects for the development and upgrade of the National Electricity Transmission System: from investments of only 83.6 million euros in 2012, the company reached investments of 453 million . euros in 2020, while this year in the 9 months the capex reached 241.8 million euros.

Indicatively, some milestones of the company in the last four years concern:

In 2017 at the entry of State Grid in the share capital of the company with a percentage of 24% in 2017.

In 2018 in the completion of the first phase of the interconnection of the Cyclades, the construction of the new 400KV transmission line Megalopolis – Patras, the contracting of the B and C phase of the interconnection of the Cyclades, the contracting of the electrical interconnection Crete – Peloponnese, the interconnection of the interconnection in the ten-year plan and the establishment of Ariadne Interconnection which is a 100% subsidiary of the group and is the implementing body of the interconnection Crete Attica

In 2019, at the beginning of the tender for the electrical interconnection of Crete-Attica, the contracting of the construction project of a new GM. 400 kV Megalopolis-Corinth, the completion of the installation of the first submarine high voltage cable in Greece, for the extension of the 400 kV System in the Peloponnese, through the “Western Corridor” Megalopolis-Patra-Acheloos, the completion of the Establishment of Grid Telecom, 100% subsidiary of IPTO, as a vehicle of the Administrator for the provision of telecommunication services to national and international providers and the technological upgrade and digitization of the Energy Control Centers.

In 2020, in the integration of the islands of the NE Aegean in the ten-year plan, the contracting of the electricity interconnection Skiathos-Evia, contracting of the electrical interconnection Crete-Attica, establishment of the Regional Energy Control Center SE Europe “SEleNe CC” in Thessaloniki, Cyclades electrical interconnection phase, the completion of the 3rd Phase of the Cyclades electrical interconnection, the Commencement of the Target Model operation and the announcement of a tender for the Naxos-Santorini interconnection (4th Cyclades interconnection phase).

In 2021, the integration of new international interconnections and storage projects in the ten-year plan, the Cooperation agreement for a pilot storage station in Thebes Substation, the contract for the reconstruction of KYT Koumoundourou, the completion of the “interconnection of records” between Crete and Peloponnese Transmission System with a forward-looking asset renewal program and the launch of new digital infrastructure upgrade projects and finally the strategic positioning of the Administrator in the field of offshore wind farms.

New projects

But what are the key new projects that make up the investment plan for the coming years. IPTO is implementing a full-fledged green investment program of 5 billion euros for the development and upgrade of the electricity system, with a horizon of 2030.

The increase of the Regulated Asset Base due to the investments of the Manager now reaches 30% compared to 2017 and is on a path of more than doubling in the coming years.

More specifically, the new projects that have been launched are:

2022

New 400 kV Transmission Line Megalopoli-Corinth (1st half of 2022)

It concerns the southern part of the Eastern Corridor that will connect the Megalopolis KYT with the Koumoundourou KYT, with the Corinth KYT as the main junction.

Construction of a new Corinth KYT (First half of 2022)

Sea connection Skiathos-Evia (mid 2022)

Supply of Northern Sporades (Skiathos, Skopelos and Alonissos) with the connection to the High Voltage of Skiathos with the Mainland System. Project budget: EUR 56 million. The laying of the submarine cables has been completed by Hellenic Cables and the 150 kV Substation is under construction with a completion horizon in mid-2022.

New connection between Greece and Bulgaria (2nd half of 2022)

The project concerns the implementation of a second interconnection line between the Systems of Greece and Bulgaria that will be carried out by aerial GM. 400 kV between the Santas substation and the Maritsa East Substation. Total project budget: 66.3 million euros (Greek section: 8.75 million euros). The announcement of the competition for the Greek section took place at the beginning of October and the project has a horizon of completion in the 2nd half of 2022.

2023

Reconstruction of KYT Koumoundourou (2nd half of 2023)

The reconstruction of KYT Koumoundourou Attica is a turnkey project, with the object of replacing and expanding the existing switching equipment 150 kV and 400 kV with modern equipment of closed type technology (GIS). Budget: EUR 45.7 million. The project has been included for funding from the Recovery Fund (along with the Corinth-Koumoundouros Transmission Line).

Naxos-Santorini electrical interconnection

It is the first step for the Fourth Phase of the electrical interconnection of Cyclades. The tender process was completed with the announcement of contractors for the substation in Santorini and the cable sections. The signing of the relevant contracts is expected in the next period.

2024

Electrical interconnection of Crete-Attica

The Crete-Attica electricity interconnection (implemented by the subsidiary, Ariadne Interconnection) has a total length (sea & land sections) of 400 km and a budget of 1 billion euros. The implementation schedule envisages completion of the interconnection within the first half of 2024.

On the sea front of the projects, the sinking of the optical fibers (length 335 km each) from Prysmian, from Attica to Heraklion, Crete is currently in progress.

At the end of November, the laying of the first section (170 km long) of one of the two direct current submarine cables was completed by the contractor Nexans. In fact, in this dive was used the state-of-the-art ship “Aurora” recently launched by the Norwegian giant.

Bottom research has been completed since the summer. The studies for the terrestrial cable sections have been completed to a degree of more than 80%. The production of the cables started a year ago in the factories of the contractors (Norway, Sweden, Italy, Germany) and is expected to be completed in the second half of 2022.

Completion of G.M. KYT Korinthou-KYT Koumoundourou (has joined for co-financing of 30 million euros from the Recovery Fund together with KYT Koumoundourou)

Completion of the 4th Phase of interconnection of the Cyclades

Completion of the 4th Phase of electrical interconnection of the Cyclades with the islands Folegandros-Milos-Serifos. Budget: EUR 260 million. The relevant tender procedures will be announced in the near future. The project has been included in the Recovery & Reconstruction Fund for the amount of 165 million euros.

2027

Electrical interconnection of Dodecanese

It concerns the interconnection of the islands of Kos, Rhodes and Karpathos with the mainland system, through Corinth. Estimated budget: 1.5 billion euros.

New 400 kV Transmission Line between Philippi HVAC and Nea Santa HVAC

The new G.M. 140 km will strengthen the capacity of the System at the eastern border of the country and will upgrade the capacity to absorb electricity from RES and conventional units in the region.

2029

Electrical interconnection of NE Aegean islands

The interconnection of the northeastern Aegean to the High Voltage includes the islands of Lemnos, Lesvos, Skyros, Chios and Samos, through Eastern Thrace and Evia. Estimated budget: EUR 890 million.

Digital transformation

Finally, it is noted that IPTO is in the process of digital transformation, with the aim of successfully meeting the challenges of the energy transition. The Company’s design includes digitization projects in at least 17 High Voltage Centers and 27 IPTO Substations throughout Greece with a total budget of 70 million euros and a completion horizon of 7-8 years.

With the upgrade of the telecommunication equipment of the Electricity Transmission System, the way of communication between critical electrical infrastructures is modernized.

In this way, a state-of-the-art network is created for the communication of the Energy Control Centers, the High Voltage Centers, the Substations according to the standards of the most modern Administrators. A key factor in achieving this goal is the expansion of the fiber optic network through terrestrial and island electrical interconnections.

Telecommunications

Finally, it is worth mentioning that through IPTO’s subsidiary, Grid Telecom, the Manager has expanded into the telecommunications network market.

Grid Telecom with a core network of more than 4,000 km has already leased to telecommunications providers more than 3,000 km of fiber optics and is soon expected to provide high-capacity services, further strengthening its position in the domestic wholesale telecommunications market.

IPTO subsidiary claims, in collaboration with TERNA Energy, 4 of the 7 LOTs in the Ultra Fast Broadband telecommunications tender. With this project, Grid Telecom will have an extensive optical network in more than 30 prefectures of the country.

The company recently signed an important commercial agreement with the Spanish Islalink for the provision of terrestrial optical backbone network, in order for the IONIAN submarine cable system starting from Italy to be extended to Greece.

The cooperation of IPTO subsidiary and Islalink marks the creation of a new alternative interface with Europe that will help Greece become an important telecommunications hub in the Mediterranean, triggering new investments in digital infrastructure.

Grid Telecom’s next goal is to expand its network abroad in 2022, offering alternative interconnections with neighboring countries but also with major telecommunications hubs in Europe.