SEPS, in cooperation with the Ukrainian transmission system operator NPC Ukrenergo, is implementing the international Slovak-Ukrainian project “Interconnection between Mukacheve (UA) and Veľké Kapušany (SK)” (hereinafter referred to as the “Project”). The investment has been granted the status of a Project of Mutual Interest (PMI) under the category “North-South electricity interconnections in Central Eastern and South Eastern Europe” (NSI East Electricity).
The Project is a major cross-border energy infrastructure project of European significance, aimed at increasing the capacity and reliability of the electricity interconnection between the transmission systems of the Slovak Republic and Ukraine, while strengthening the energy security and resilience of the region. The implementation of the Project is one of the strategic areas identified in the Roadmap for Joint Action signed between Slovakia and Ukraine.
Project of mutual interest means a project promoted by the Union in cooperation with third countries pursuant to letters of support from the governments of the directly affected countries or other non-binding agreements, which falls under one of the energy infrastructure categories set out in point 1(a) or (f), point 3(a), or point 5(a) or (c) of Annex II, to Regulation (EU) 2022/869 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2022, which contributes to the Union’s 2030 targets for energy and climate and its 2050 climate neutrality objective and which is on the Union list.
The Project is listed as No. 2.28 in the current second Union list of Projects of Common Interest and Projects of Mutual Interest (the so-called PCI/PMI List, i.e. Projects of Common Interest / Projects of Mutual Interest), established pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2022/869 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2022 on guidelines for trans-European energy infrastructure.
In addition to the investment project “400 kV cross-border interconnection between Mukacheve (UA) and Veľké Kapušany (SK)”, SEPS’s project activities also comprise the following related investment projects:
- Modernisation of the 400 kV Voľa–Veľké Kapušany transmission line;
- Modernisation of the 400 kV Lemešany–Voľa transmission line;
- Extension of the Lemešany substation;
- Reconstruction of the Veľké Kapušany substation.
The implementation of these related investments in the transmission system in the eastern part of the Slovak Republic, including the reconstruction and development of the associated infrastructure, is essential to achieving the full benefits of the reconstruction of the V440 cross-border transmission line.
The strategic importance of PMI No. 2.28 is highlighted in the National Energy and Climate Plan of the Slovak Republic, which identifies the strengthening of cross-border electricity interconnections as a key prerequisite for enhancing energy security, market integration and regional cooperation. At present, the Slovak Republic and Ukraine are interconnected by a single 400 kV transmission line linking the Veľké Kapušany substation (SK) with the Mukacheve substation (UA).
The implementation of the Project will contribute to:
- Strengthening cross-border electricity interconnections between the European and Ukrainian power systems through the modernisation of the 400 kV Mukacheve (UA)–Veľké Kapušany (SK) interconnection.
- Increasing security of electricity supply in Slovakia and the wider Central and Eastern European region by improving the reliability and resilience of key transmission infrastructure.
- Enhancing transmission capacity and grid flexibility, enabling more efficient cross-border electricity exchanges and supporting the functioning of the EU internal electricity market.
- Facilitating the integration of renewable energy sources by removing transmission bottlenecks and increasing the capability of the transmission system to accomodate chaning generation and demand patterns.
- Supporting regional solidarity and energy resilience, particularly in the context of evolving geopolitical and energy security challenges affecting the European energy sector.
The Mukacheve–Veľké Kapušany interconnection will significantly strengthen regional and pan-European security of electricity supply by increasing transmission capacity between Ukraine and the EU synchronous area. The Project will provide an additional cross-border interconnection enabling electricity exchanges under both normal and emergency conditions, thereby enhancing resilience to generation outages, grid emergencies and geopolitical disruptions. The Project directly contributes to the long-term integration of the Ukrainian power system into the European electricity market and enhances security of electricity supply across the wider Central and Eastern European region.
Estimated project cost: EUR 201.9 million
Indicative implementation period: 2026–2032
Ongoing works on the V440 transmission line