Romania's Transelectrica signs 424 mln euro financing contracts under EU's Modernisation Fund

The nine projects will contribute to the rise of the interconnection capacity with the European power system and to the development of Romania's transmission electricity system, Transelectrica said in a filing to the Bucharest Stock Exchange, BVB.

The projects will also contribute to the security, flexibility and adequacy of the national power system, offering the premises of putting into operation of new energy production capacities from renewable sources.

Following the investments, the capacity of the transmission system will increase by almost 1,700 MW. Some 480 km of new overhead lines will be built, five 400 kV power stations will be extended, and the interconnection capacity will rise by 600 MW.

The high level of this non-refundable financing will have a positive effect on Transelectrica’s profitability in the long term and will ensure the rise of the its liquidity indicators.

The financing represents 30% of the total funds obtained by Romania through the Modernization Fund, respectively 14% from the total financing obtained by eight member states from Easter and Central Europe with approved projects.

The Modernisation Fund is a dedicated funding programme of the European Union to support 10 lower-income member states to meet 2030 energy targets by helping them to modernise energy systems and improve energy efficiency.

Transelectrica's net profit slumped by 73% year-on-year in the first half of 2022, to 28 million lei ($5.9 million/ 5.7 million euro), mainly due to higher electricity purchase prices.

Blue-chip Transelectrica's shares traded 0.29% lower at 17.45 lei ($3.46/ 3.53 euro) as at 1444 CET on Monday on the BVB.

(1 euro=4.9395 lei)