The LEG1 project under the aegis of Green Power and powered by Financière Terxia is referenced, under the number 284, in the European Commission’s list, 2018 and 2020, of TYNDP projects of ENTSO-E. ENTSO-E (European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity) is in charge of these projects on behalf of the European Commission.
what is ENTSO-E ?
ENTSO-E, the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity, is the association for the cooperation of the European transmission system operators (TSOs). The 39 member TSOs representing 35 countries are responsible for the secure and coordinated operation of Europe’s electricity system, the largest interconnected electrical grid in the world. In addition to its core, historical role in technical cooperation, ENTSO-E is also the common voice of TSOs.
what is TYNDP ?
ENTSO-E’s 10-year network development plan (TYNDP) is the European electricity infrastructure development plan.
It links, supports, and complements national grid development plans. It provides a wide European vision of the future power system and investigates how power links and storage can be used to make the energy transition happen in a cost-effective and secure way.
Europe has embarked on an unprecedented societal transformation journey with its Green Deal objective to reach climate neutrality by 2050. The European Climate law sets an ambitious path towards decarbonisation with an intermediate target of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 % by 2030, compared to 1990 levels.
our description on TYNDP website :
LEG1 is a submarine HVDC interconnection project, enabling bidirectional electricity exchange between South-East Europe and North Africa.
The interconnector will link the area of Tobruk, in Libya, to Linoperamata in Crete. Landing spots have been discussed with the respective TSOs.
GreenPower2020 has identified an ideal submarine corridor (305 km) reaching a maximum depth of 2700m, providing one of the shortest possible links between continental Europe and North Africa, as Crete will be connected to continental Greece with a 1,000 MW DC interconnector in 2023.
LEG1 interconnector will have a power rating of 2,000 MW and a DC voltage of 525 kV.
VSC was chosen for converter technology because it is more favorable for power trading and has other advantages such as blackstart capacity and voltage stability support.
LEG1 will also connect Libya to Egypt (Salloum) through AC overhead line with related substations, benefiting from Libya and Egypt solar projects (initial 150 MW plant included), further contributing to the achievement of the EC’s Green Deal 2030 objectives. It will play an essential role in optimizing competitive production and consumption, taking advantage of the strong weekly and seasonal imbalances – Fridays vs Sundays / winters vs summers
and now :
The reprogramming of the LEG1 project enabled Green Power to be integrated into Financière Terxia, and a builder to be found for the solar power plant.
LEG1 has been rescheduled to allow for 150 MW solar power plant (comprising energy storage) to be developped. GreenPower2020 feel this is necessary for 2 reasons: 1. to test and to qualify technologies in a given environment (hence not duplicating previous errors from others) and to identify the appropriate combination (PV + battery, CSP + steam, …) before the utility-scale deployment of 2 x 1 GW. 2. To include energy generation as part of the project to enable LEG1’s bi-lateral power exchange capability immediately.
TYNDP 2020 website