Power linkup for Bulgaria and FYROM
SOFIA (Reuters) – Bulgaria and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) will build a power grid linking the two countries to boost energy exports and increase the stability of power supplies in Southeastern Europe, officials said yesterday. FYROM has contracted a unit of German utility RWE to build the grid link in a 19-million-euro deal, Bulgarian power grid operator NETC stated. «The new line will make it easier to establish a regional energy market and improve the connection between electricity power exporters in the Balkan countries,» NETC said. The 400-kilovolt electricity grid will be 150 kilometers long, of which 80km will be on Bulgarian territory. It is expected to become operational in a year and a half, after EU aspirant Bulgaria fully liberalizes its energy market.