„The energy system of Southeast Europe was put to a serious test - exactly three weeks after the major accident in Spain and Portugal. Bulgaria has proven in words and actions that it is a guarantor of the security of energy networks not only in the country, but also in the entire region. We are supporting North Macedonia and Serbia due to the failures in their energy systems.“
This was said by the Minister of Energy Zhecho Stankov at an extraordinary briefing on the large-scale accidents with power outages in the Republic of North Macedonia and Serbia.
„In the early hours of Sunday, the system was faced with major challenges, with high voltages due to low consumption and a large amount of reactive energy. Bulgaria has 90% of its compensating capacities and we managed to master all processes so that we can also help our neighboring countries“, Stankov explained.
“Bulgaria will help North Macedonia after the collapse there, and we have a request to restore voltage on other 110 kilovolt power lines - in addition to “Belasitsa“, the minister also pointed out.
“Today's accident is proof that Bulgaria must invest in compensating capacities, as well as in new PAVEC“, he believes.
“Renewable energy has no share in today's problem, the cause is only the generated parasitic reactive energy, which has increased the voltage in the electrical grid. The generating and compensating capacities in our country protect the Bulgarian power system - they absorb the reactive energy that is generated. The "Chaira" power distribution system can also take on this function. There is not a single consumer in Bulgaria who has felt the problem in North Macedonia, the minister said.
According to him, Croatia is also experiencing problems with its electricity transmission system due to the lack of compensatory capacities that would reduce electricity production.
We recall that as of 05:00 this morning, half of North Macedonia was left without electricity, with the largest cities in the country affected, including a large part of the capital Skopje.