Grid

New grid capacity for solar: 725 MVA from DEDDIE substation upgrades

DEDDIE is carrying out the largest 150/20 kV substation reinforcement programme it has ever undertaken, adding 725 MVA to the distribution network and opening room for new solar and storage connections.

What the programme covers

This is the largest 150/20 kV substation capacity programme DEDDIE has delivered. It adds 725 MVA to the distribution network through works at fourteen high-to-medium voltage substations, funded by the Recovery and Resilience Facility.

The works involve either installing new power transformers or replacing existing ones with higher-capacity units. Medium-voltage installations are being extended at the same time, so that each substation can serve more renewable connections.

Where it is already finished

Nine of the fourteen substations are already energised, among them Domokos, Ioannina, Florina, Megara, Pylos and Oinofyta.

The remaining five are expected to be energised within the year, with Sperchiada and Trikala among them.

What it means if you are planning a solar system

The aim is to create new grid capacity, meaning headroom for more renewable projects and for electricity storage units to connect. It also improves the reliability and flexibility of the system, which ties directly into security of supply and national energy targets.

In practice, the extra headroom makes it easier for businesses and energy communities to invest, and for farmers to install solar in areas where connection applications have been hitting a capacity wall. The margin remains local, though: it is assessed substation by substation, so checking availability before filing an application is still the first step in any project.

See also what applies when the grid is already saturated in our article on the saturated grid, along with our Zero Feed-In solutions.

Source: energypress.gr