Reinforcement of 380.73 (22T20161020---2C)

Dear Market Participants,

Elia is currently working on upgrading the capacity of the 400kV Elia grid (cfr federal grid development plan).

One of the steps of the grid reinforcement comes with the line 380.73 (22T20161020---2C) between Mercator and Horta equipped in HTLS (High Temperature Low Sag) as of Thursday the 25th of April 2019.

A capacity increase of the line is achieved by replacing the conductors with HTLS conductors. HTLS conductors contain a core of carbon fiber, which allows the line to be operated at a much higher temperature, without compromising safety distances. Capacity of the line is coming from 1316MVA and becomes 2899MVA under the summer criteria.

Afterwards the HTLS upgrade will continue with the line 380-74 (22T20161020---3A), also between Mercator and Horta stations, this line will be available at an increased capacity later in the year.

Elia System Operator S.A.