2024-08-01 22:27:22
It envisages two channel hydroelectric plants using state-of-the-art technology and a large capacity storage tank
The renewed project for the Turnu Magurele-Nikopol Hydrotechnical Complex has been proposed for the status of a cross-border renewable energy project with opportunities for European funding. It dates back to the 1960s, and the first sod was broken in 1977. Nowadays, it is joint project of the “National Electric Company” and the Romanian company “Hydroelectricity”.
Now the Danube hydrotechnical complex has successfully passed the evaluation stage and is included in the List of Transboundary Renewable Energy Projects of the European Union. The final approval of the list and its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union is pending.
The project is one of three approved for the whole of Europe in 2024. Its inclusion in the list and the prospect of obtaining the status of a cross-border renewable energy project are a significant stage in its development, opening up opportunities to support the project through the Connecting Facility Europe, commented by NEK.
The project “Construction of the hydrotechnical complex “Turnu Magurele – Nikopol” is an important cross-border initiative between Romania and Bulgaria for the optimal utilization of the hydropower potential of the Danube River. It envisages two channel hydroelectric power plants using state-of-the-art technologies and a large-capacity storage tank.
The project emphasizes environmental sustainability and renewable energy production while meeting the needs of the local population and industry. Its implementation will support the joint commitment of Bulgaria and Romania to the accelerated achievement of EU goals in the field of sustainable energy and will promote regional cooperation, as it should serve as a model for international cooperation in the field of sustainable infrastructure, the National Electric Company explained.
Additional complex benefits are road, rail and energy connectivity, improved navigability and flood prevention.
The project will apply for feasibility study funding to the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA).
The list of cross-border renewable energy (CB RES) projects under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) in the field of energy was launched for the first time in August 2022 and already includes eight projects.
The implementation of the cross-border projects will contribute to the achievement of the ambitious goals in the field of renewable energy within the framework of the European Green Deal, as well as to the objectives of the REPowerEU plan.
Thanks to the official CB RES status, the eight projects are eligible for financial support for studies and works under the Energy Program of the CEF. They also enjoy greater visibility, increased certainty for investors and stronger support from Member States. Some of the projects have already received funding in 2023 and 2024.
CB RES projects are defined by the Connecting Europe Facility Regulation and aim to promote cross-border cooperation between EU countries (and between EU and non-EU countries) in the field of planning, development and cost-effective exploitation of renewable energy sources. CB RES projects can facilitate the integration of RES through energy storage or hydrogen production facilities in order to contribute to the EU’s long-term decarbonisation strategy. They should be established through a cooperation mechanism as defined in the text of the Renewable Energy Directive.