Balkans More Vulnerable to Power Outages Due to Weak Grid Connections

Until recently, we often heard that the electricity network in certain Balkan countries is quite isolated from the rest of Europe, leading to higher prices. Now, with Spain’s recent blackout and a similar incident last Sunday in North Macedonia, another dimension of the region’s energy isolation has been highlighted. The existence of weak interconnections between the countries of Southeastern Europe and larger markets in Central Europe means careful management is required to maintain stability and avoid problems. This need becomes even more apparent as the penetration of renewable energy sources (RES) continues to rise. In our country, it has already surpassed 50%, but other Balkan states are also making progress despite lagging behind compared to the rest of the continent. During periods like spring, the share of RES can reach much higher levels, combined with low demand, causing difficulties. Authorities aim to keep the grid stable without abrupt fluctuations in power and frequency. Based on this, recent blackouts will likely accelerate efforts to develop new interconnections, as they are estimated to help address any disruptions. Managers like ADMIE have placed the issue high on the agenda, calling for faster project approvals and adequate funding from Brussels. Similarly, the Eurelectric association advocates for annual investments of €67 billion by 2050 to strengthen the European electricity grid. We must not forget the large-scale power outage last year in the Western Balkans, which alarmed national and European authorities. Decades of underinvestment in regional grids have increased risks, according to neighboring market representatives speaking to Montel. Therefore, coordination among national managers and the application of new tools, including artificial intelligence, are needed. ‘The voltage is excessively high, the network is limited, and such outages will occur. Interconnections are absolutely necessary,’ emphasized Clement Naumoski, a member of North Macedonia’s grid operator. Likewise, Styliani Sarri, an electrical engineer at DEDDHE, noted that achieving balance between production and demand is becoming harder due to the lack of energy storage facilities in the region.