ECONOMY

Romanian, Turkish grids set for linkup

BUCHAREST (SeeNews) – Romanian state-owned power grid operator Transelectrica said yesterday it planned to link up with Turkish counterpart TEIAS via a 400-kilometer underwater cable in a project worth an estimated 300 million euros. The 400-kilovolt power transmission line will run under the Black Sea, bypassing the territory of Bulgaria wedged between Romania and Turkey. The line will link the Romanian seaport of Constanta and the Turkish location of Pasakoy, some 80 kilometers east of Istanbul. «We are working with TEIAS to start construction by the end of this year or in early 2007,» Transelectrica General Manager Stelian Gal told reporters. Construction of the facility will be completed by the end of 2009. The transmission line will be able to carry up to 600 megawatts of electricity in either direction, offering both countries an additional source to cover temporary power shortages. «The costs of the project will be evenly split between the two parties,» he added. The project is eligible for European Union financing. Transelectrica also hopes to draw loans backed by the Romanian state to cover its share of the costs. Romania hopes to join the EU in 2007 or 2008. Turkey officially launched accession talks with the EU last year.

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