101. Role and Value of Hydro and Pumped Storage in Southeast Europe

In 1996, the South-east Europe Cooperative Initiative (SECI) was established to improve economical cooperation between South-East European countries. Under this umbrella, a number of initiatives were taken and large efforts have been under way to develop a regional electricity market. Recognizing the unique role that hydro and pumped storage play in the operation of a modern power system, the United States Agency for Development (USAID) sponsored a study to identify its role and value. The analysis focused on the power market situation in 2005, which is, according to the Athens Memorandum of Understanding dated November 15, 2002, a target year for the start of operation of a regional deregulated electricity market for the industrial and large (non-residential) consumers.