Czech electricity projects of common interest – part 2

The first part of the article explains the term “Projects of Common Interest” (PCI) and defines the conditions that projects must meet to be included in this category. It also presents in more detail the Vernéřov-Vítkov PCI 3.11.1 domestic transmission line. This part successively presents the remaining PCI projects in Czechia.

2. Vítkov-Přeštice domestic transmission line PCI 3.11.2

The new double-circuit 400 kV Vítkov – Přeštice line, with the operational designation V490/491 and a total length of approximately 87 km, will replace the existing double-circuit 220 kV line designated V221/222 connecting the Přeštice and Vítkov substations.

The route of the new V490/V491 line will be located in the Karlovy Vary and Plzeň regions and will use the corridor of the existing V221/V222 line to the maximum extent possible (80 km).

The construction of this line will strengthen the transmission system in western Bohemia, ensure the reliable connection of the new 420 kV Vítkov substation to the transmission system, increase operational stability and improve supply reliability in western Bohemia, including in the event of renewable energy development in the Karlovy Vary region. It is also a system measure for the gradual phase-out of the 220 kV network.

A zoning decision for the project was issued in December 2017, and construction of the new line began in 2019. It is expected to be completed in 2021.

3. Přeštice-Kočín domestic transmission line PCI 3.11.3

a) Kočín substation, comprehensive refurbishment

The refurbished 420 kV substation will be located on existing land owned by ČEPS and partly on new land east of the current substation site.

The Kočín substation is already an important hub in the Czech transmission system, particularly because it evacuates power from the Temelín nuclear power plant into the 400 kV grid.

The refurbishment and expansion of the substation will replace end-of-life substation equipment and enable the connection of all planned ČEPS development projects in the area. If Temelín NPP units 3 and 4 are built in the future, this new output can be fed into the transmission system through the substation.

This comprehensive refurbishment will bring greater reliability in evacuating power from the existing nuclear power plant, higher stability, security and, last but not least, more efficient operation of the Czech transmission system.

A construction permit for this project was issued in January 2015. In April 2017, the construction site was handed over to the contractor and construction work began. Completion of the comprehensive substation refurbishment is planned for 2023.

b) V432/429 Kočín – Přeštice

The V432/429 line will be approximately 117 km long and will run through the Plzeň and South Bohemian regions. The route will follow, to the maximum extent possible, the route of the current single-circuit V432 line (approximately 97 km), which also runs from the Přeštice substation to the Kočín substation and will be doubled under this project. Only 20 km of the route of the new double-circuit 400 kV line will be outside the existing corridor.

Strengthening the existing Přeštice–Kočín transmission corridor will help direct power flows from generation sites to consumption centres (from west to east). These power flows also arise due to transit flows passing through the Czech Republic from Germany to Austria.

For this line to be implemented, sections of the Chrást – Přeštice (V431/831) and Kočín – Dasný (V473/873) lines must also be rerouted, as must the existing Kočín – Dasný line (V1344/1345).

The doubling of the V432 line to V432/429 is planned for 2026–2028.

4. Kočín-Mírovka domestic transmission line PCI 3.11.4

a) Mírovka substation, comprehensive refurbishment and expansion

Vacant land owned by ČEPS at the existing 420 kV Mírovka substation, located near Havlíčkův Brod in the Vysočina region, will be used for the expansion of the substation.

The existing substation will thus be expanded with new line bays, which are necessary for the safe evacuation of power from any new nuclear units at the Temelín power plant. This expansion is also required to improve power flows through the Czech transmission system, which is why new lines will be connected to the substation in the coming years (V406/407, a loop from V413 and the doubling of V422).

The plan to expand and refurbish the substation is divided into stages to respect the implementation schedules of the individual lines.

b) V406/V407 Kočín – Mírovka

The new 400 kV line designated V406/V407 will be approximately 121 km long and will pass through the South Bohemian and Vysočina regions. The line will run from the Kočín substation initially southwards, before turning east and continuing parallel to the existing V474 line (Kočín – Dasný). After leaving this parallel route, the line will continue north-eastwards and will again run parallel to E.ON Distribuce’s 110 kV lines, the 220 kV Tábor – Sokolnice line and the 400 kV Hradec – Mírovka line. The new line will enter the substation from the south-east.

The entire route can be viewed here. It runs north of Soběslav, bypasses Choustník and Černovice to the east, then turns 90° eastwards above Obrataň, passes north of Kámen and Pelhřimov, turns north near Vyskytná, crosses the D1 motorway near the village of Herálec and subsequently enters the Mírovka substation.

The reason for constructing this line is the expected increase in generation capacity in north-western and southern Bohemia, the need to transmit this power towards the east and south-east of the Czech Republic, and European north-south transit flows, which place greater demands on the Czech transmission system. This new line will enable the required delivery of power to the consumption area supplied from the 400/110 kV transformation at the Mírovka substation.

A favourable EIA opinion has been issued for this planned investment project, and implementation is being prepared for 2021 to 2024.

5. Mírovka-V413 domestic transmission line PCI 3.11.5

The construction of a loop from the V413 line (Řeporyje – Prosenice) to the Mírovka substation, approximately 23 km long, is essential for directing power flows in the transmission system and stabilising voltage at the Mírovka substation. It was implemented in 2018 and 2019.