Ukraine’s state energy operator Ukrenergo worked together with its Polish counterpart PSE to link the countries’ power grids with a 400-kilometer-long high-voltage transmission line, Ukrenergo said in a Facebook post on May 2.
The interconnection has been operational since April 27 and successfully passed three days’ worth of testing. Ukrenergo emphasized that the cross-border power transmission line brings additional stability for the Ukrainian energy system as part of the European grid.
The additional high-voltage line expands Kyiv’s energy export-import capabilities.
“By selling electricity, we will accumulate resources to restore the energy sector before the next winter season,” said Ukrainian PM Denys Shmyhal.
He added that Ukraine will begin importing electricity and receive emergency assistance from its neighbors, if necessary.
“Ukrainians will have access to electricity, despite hostile missile and drone attacks,” the PM said.
The total length of the transmission line is almost 400 kilometers, with over 70% of it running through Ukrainian territory. The line is connected to the main grid through an open distribution switchgear at one of the Ukrainian grid facilities.
The power grid node was upgraded to convert electricity generated by the Ukrainian energy system into European 400 kV voltage current and transmit it to Europe.
In turn, Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, head of Ukrenergo, stated that this line is an additional element of European energy security and contributes to the development of a stable network in Ukraine.
The total cost of the project was UAH 350 million ($9.5 million), and some of the necessary equipment was provided free of charge by Polish partners.