Romanian transmission system operator Transelectrica and the Georgian State Electrosystem have started the technical-development phase of a proposed 1,300 MW electricity interconnector across the Black Sea. The project is advanced through a memorandum between the two system operators. The memorandum moves cooperation from political engagement toward engineering preparation.
Route, length and key engineering work
The planned interconnector would connect Constanța in Romania with Anaklia in Georgia. The expected overall length is approximately 1,155 kilometres, including about 1,115 kilometres of submarine cable and 40 kilometres of onshore transmission infrastructure. The next phase will focus on defining the cable technology and the seabed route.
Engineering preparation will also cover landing points and converter-station design. System-stability requirements and integration with the Romanian and Georgian transmission networks are part of the technical-development agenda. These elements are expected to be determined during the subsequent engineering work following the memorandum.
EU Project of Mutual Interest status in 2026
The interconnector received Project of Mutual Interest status from the European Union in 2026. The designation reflects its potential role in linking the South Caucasus with the European electricity market. The project is intended to support renewable-energy trade and diversify supply routes.
The planned corridor is also described as bypassing traditional land-based transit systems. The engineering complexity is noted as considerable due to the scale of offshore construction. At more than 1,100 kilometres offshore, the cable would be among the world’s longest submarine electricity links.
Technical and commercial considerations for financing
The source material highlights that Black Sea depth and seabed conditions will influence capital costs and construction risk. Repair logistics and converter availability are also identified as factors affecting implementation. These constraints are expected to shape engineering choices for reliability over long distances.
The commercial model is described as equally important for a 1,300 MW link. It requires dependable generation or contracted supply on the eastern side, along with sufficient demand and price spreads in Europe. A regulated framework is also needed to support debt service over several decades.
The document states that renewable generation in Georgia and the wider Caucasus could provide an energy base. Lenders are said to require clarity on offtake arrangements, congestion revenues, and availability obligations. Romania’s role is linked to existing development around Constanța for Black Sea transport, gas and electricity.
Transelectrica is working on domestic reinforcement and cross-border integration with neighbouring markets. The memorandum is described as initiating the most consequential stage of the project by moving from political support to detailed engineering verification. That work will need to establish whether the cable can meet technical reliability, commercial financeability and resilience requirements at the proposed scale.
