Energy interconnection between Italy and Montenegro, called “Monita”, is one of the largest and technically the most challenging projects of electricity transmission, which is currently implemented on the European continent, said Sam Zadeh director for EU from Toshiba corporation.
Director of European multinational company “Toshiba” Sam Zadeh announced in an interview that the Japanese giant would seriously consider the idea of building a renewable energy generation, given the resources and predispositions that Montenegro as country has.
-Taking into account the considerable hydropower potential of Montenegro, wind and biomass resources, as well as “Toshiba” indicators and expertise related to the global renewable energy projects on a turnkey basis, it is definitely an idea worth considering, said Zadeh.
A contract for engineering and construction of converter substations was awarded to “Toshiba” late last year, an integral part of the project of submarine cable construction with which should start the electricity export in Montenegro from 2016th and the region to Italy and Western Europe, which will realize the Italian company “Terna”.
Zadeh notes that this is one of the most challenging projects of electricity generation that currently being implemented in Europe and according to him no less complex is the procedure for obtaining appropriate permits, which the Japanese partner must meet in order to move the project.
Preliminary work on the substations construction in Lastva Grbaljska should begin in late April. The project realization is planned during this year, if the Italian partners obtain the consent of the State of Croatia for the cable construction. The project envisages the construction of 420 kilometers of cable for 800MEUR. At the project will operate more than 5.000 people. The electricity volume that will be transmitted over the cable will be up to 1.200 megawatts, about 40 times more than in nuclear reactors. The project will be completed in 2015th, but already in 2016th will be able to transmit power through a cable.
The company “Toshiba” was founded in 1875th and currently employs more than 206.000 people. The company is listed on the London Stock Exchange, as well at the local markets in Tokyo and Nagoya.
Q: Are you interested in building renewable energy sources in Montenegro?
ZADEH: Bearing in mind the considerable hydropower potential of Montenegro, wind and biomass resources, as well as “Toshiba” indicators and expertise related to the global renewable energy projects on a turnkey basis, it is definitely an idea worth considering.
Q: How much is the project of installing a submarine cable between Montenegro and Italy complex and challenging from a technical point of view?
ZADEH: Energy interconnection between Italy and Montenegro (called “Monita”) is one of the largest and technically most challenging projects, electricity transmission, which is currently implemented on the European continent.
In addition to the submarine cable, the other key component of the project is the construction and commissioning of the two converter substations in Italy and Montenegro, which will be designed, engineered and built by the company “Toshiba”. Installed capacity of this high voltage (HVDC) interconnection is 1200 megawatts, which puts it serried with the capacity of classic nuclear power plant.
Q: Are there any conditions or actions that must be met before you start the project realization?
ZADEH: I have noted that “Toshiba” is not responsible for the installation of the submarine cable, but the construction of two converter stations have been entrusted to us.
Various preparatory works should be completed before the substations construction begins-starting from study of the environmental impact, geological, hydro-geological, topological, and other accompanying research to equipment and system designing which should be developed in order to obtain various permits and authorizations. The scope and complexity of the documents that must be prepared and analyzed are truly enormous-from permission to start preliminary works, over site clearance to the construction permit.
Q: Does “Toshiba” consider opening a plant or factory in Montenegro?
ZADEH: Right now, our priority is to finish “Monita” project successfully and timely, using local resources, knowledge and experience in various phases of the project to the maximum extent possible.
Q: Once you have been a leading manufacturer of technical equipment in the world. What is the current market position of “Toshiba”? Are you engaged in the production of equipment for renewable energy sources?
ZADEH: “Toshiba” has retained its position as the global leader in the field of equipment for POS systems, including operating systems for small and medium-sized enterprises. As for solar plants we dominate the Japanese market, while in the segment of the steam turbine is leader on the North America market. We are in the first place or we are highly rated on the specialized systems markets for the electricity production from thermal, hydro and geothermal sources, including nuclear power plants.
Source; Serbia Energy See Desk