This is already the third time this year that we are reporting on PPC Blue’s expansion plans: In May, the subsidiary of Greece’s power utility Public Power Corporation (PPC) announced plans to install 106 fast and ultra-fast charging points at 34 strategic locations along key European transport corridors in Romania and Greece. In June, this was followed by a partnership with the Romanian DIY chain Dedeman: The plan is to install more than 600 charging points at Dedeman’s stores and logistics centres across the country.
30-year service area concession
Now, there’s a partnership with Oscar Downstream: the oil company, which also operates a franchise network of fuel stations, previously secured a tender to operate managed service areas on Romanian motorway A7 near Milcovul in both directions of the carriageway. The concession for this runs for 30 years.
PPC Blue enters the picture for the charging infrastructure at these service areas: The company is to handle the installation and operation of the charging stations for the aforementioned 30 years. A total of 30 fast charging points are involved. 16 of these charging options for electric cars have already been installed by the motorway operator, each offering a power output of at least 150 kW. PPC Blue will commission them once the concession agreement comes into force.
PPC Blue to install truck charging points
In addition, PPC Blue will also install 14 fast charging points for e-trucks and e-buses. These are to have a power output of at least 350 kW.
“On a motorway, stops are short, so charging power and speed matter most. In Milcovul, we will set up high-performance charging stations for electric cars and trucks in the same service area. For hauliers switching to electric vehicles, this kind of infrastructure has to be in place before it is needed. We are pleased to launch this project together with our partner Oscar Downstream,” said Andreea-Dana Popescu, General Manager of PPC Blue Romania.
“This project benefits both car drivers and hauliers travelling on the A7. For us, it is a natural step in developing service areas that meet the needs of the people who use them. The partnership with PPC Blue, an experienced partner, supports us in this from the very beginning,” adds Nicolae Banica, CEO of Oscar Downstream.
In Romania, PPC Blue currently operates over 1,400 charging points in all counties of the country, with a total installed capacity of over 46 MW. According to the company, this makes PPC Blue one of the largest operators of charging infrastructure in Romania.
