Cirkovce-Pince transmission line to accelerate the green transition and improve energy stability
“The Cirkovce-Pince transmission line project is the best example of investments that Europe needs at this moment,” Prime Minister Golob emphasized at the press conference. In his opinion, accelerated investment in electricity and gas infrastructure is what will enable Europe to become energy independent (mainly energy supplied from the East) and transition to renewable sources. It is an extremely large investment, both in terms of importance and scope, Prime Minister Golob explained, adding that its successful implementation is also proof that Slovenian experts are capable of carrying out such large projects.
Since the investment was co-financed with EU funds, the prime minister highlighted its European dimension. “We must be aware that the strength of the EU lies in the spirit of solidarity between the member states, and solidarity should be the guide of our actions in the future as well.” He expressed his belief that after the establishment of the electricity connection between Slovenia and Hungary, it will be possible to design and complete the gas connection in the following years. “There is no doubt,” said Prime Minister Golob, “that only a united, connected Europe is what our citizens deserve and which will ensure a brighter future for all.”
In the continuation of the press conference, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán also expressed his gratitude for the realization of this large investment, emphasizing the importance of good neighborly relations, as fostered by Slovenia and Hungary.
The Cirkovce-Pince 2×400 kV transmission line will ensure more stable and reliable operation of the Slovenian electricity system.
The construction project of the Cirkovce-Pince 2×400 kV transmission line and the new Cirkovce 400/110 kV substation is the largest investment in the infrastructure of the transmission network in Slovenia and will ensure a more stable and reliable operation of the Slovenian electricity system. By building this connection, Slovenia made a significant contribution to the further greater integration of the electricity market into the EU’s common internal electricity market and thus laid the foundations for future regional exchange. The investment, which is carried out in Slovenia and Croatia, is worth approximately 160 million euros, of which 48 million euros were contributed by the European Union within the framework of the Connecting Europe Facility. The transmission line and transformer station project was also included in the list of projects of common interest. These are energy infrastructure projects for which the European Commission has outlined a long-term vision and guidelines for pan-European energy infrastructure.
With this 80.5 kilometer long transmission line, the Slovenian transmission network, managed by the system operator of the transmission network ELES, has increased to more than 3,000 kilometers. The Cirkovce–Pince 2×400 kV transmission line is integrated into the existing transmission line between Hungary and Croatia and functions as a two-system transmission line: one system is connected to the Heviz substation in Hungary and the other to the Žerjavinec substation in Croatia. The construction of the transmission line lasted 23 months, from August 1, 2020 to June 30, 2022, when the physical connection between the Hungarian and Slovenian power systems was established for the first time. Slovenia has therefore connected its transmission network to the last unconnected country – Hungary. In April 2019, ELES also started work on the new Cirkovce 400/110 kV substation, which was completed on August 18, 2022 and currently connects a total of 15 transmission lines. These waters supply the whole of Slovenia as well as Croatia and Hungary. As the director of ELES, Aleksander Mervar, said, the energy facilities – the transmission line and the RTP – are extremely technically sophisticated, built according to the latest European standards for overhead lines and environmentally friendly, both in terms of noise and other environmental factors.
In today’s address at the completion of the Cirkovce-Pince 2×400 kV transmission line project and the Cirkovce 400/110 kV substation, Mervar praised the impeccable cooperation with local communities in the placement of facilities, the Croatian TSO HOPS. and Hungarian TSO Mavir. He said the implementation of the project was challenging not only because of its size (including more than 100 contract partners, 300 field workers, 3,000 easement agreements with landowners, 120 kilometers of access roads and 30 archaeological sites surveyed), but also because of the COVID-19 pandemic. 19, which erupted shortly after construction began. “The coronavirus pandemic did not interrupt the implementation of the project even for a single day. Our teams met and worked in the field even when the whole world literally stood still,” he said, adding that the Slovenian TSO remains committed to providing a stable, high-quality supply of electricity to everyone who needs it.
Prime Ministers Golob and Orban: Minorities have a special place in the relations between our two countries
During lunch, the Prime Ministers also emphasized the commitment of both countries to high standards of protection of the two minorities, who live in the ethnically mixed area on both sides of the Slovenian-Hungarian border. Minorities have a special place in the relations between the two countries and actively shape the communities in which they live.