Regional Balkans Infrastructure Study (Rebis)–Electricity & Generation Investment Study (Gis), South-East Europe

Client: MWH, Belgium - Main Contract holder (financed by EuropeAid Co-operation Office (European Commission)- Brussels, Belgium)
Name of partner(s): NA
Start/Completion Date: January 2004 - January 2006
Project description: In brief, the scope of work included: Generation system expansion planning analyses using WASP software package; Simulation of Regional Electricity Market Operation using GTMax software package; Transmission network system analyses using PSS/E software package. The main objective of the study was to assist EC, IFIs and donors in identifying a priority list in power generation, transmission and related infrastructure from regional perspective and in line with the objectives of South East Europe Regional Electricity Market. The study determined what the optimal timing, size and location will be of future generating capacity in the region over the next 15 years (2005 - 2020). It also identified priority investments in main transmission interconnections between the countries Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia and UNMIK to help optimize investment requirements in power generation over the study horizon. The key outputs of the study are: A comprehensive demand forecast, which takes into account the impacts of reform, as well as projections and uncertainty associated with economic growth in the region; A robust power generation expansion program with prioritization of investments (indicative least-cost plan), including requirements related to the establishment of SEE REM and EU accession; Evaluation of alternative strategies. Dissemination of the results and the methodology: two consultative and two general workshops have been organized, in coordination with other regional initiatives and supporting donor agencies, to bring together all the stakeholders and ensure wide disseminating of the study results. As a sub-contractor, SEEC has been responsible for Task 2 - Analysis of Regional Supply Options with three scenarios, including: Uncoordinated development and individual operation of regional power systems; Coordinated development and fully integrated operation of the regional power grid and; Coordinated development and SEE Regional Electricity Market based operation of regional power systems. In addition, SEEC was responsible for the analyses of electricity market operation taking into account capacity constraints of transmission inter-ties and simultaneous optimization of power transactions with the aim to minimize overall operating costs in the region. Furthermore, needed reinforcement of regional transmission network system has been defined on the basis of detailed analyses using full AC model and PSS/E software package. Transmission network expansion planning activities have been done in full cooperation with other regional SECI Project.