Romelectro Group signed the contract for the construction of high voltage power lines in Kosovo* after being selected at an international tender by KOSTT – Transmission, System and Market Operator JSC.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development will finance the investment of EUR 7.5 million. Works consists of five key sections of 220 kV and 110 kV transmission lines, single and double circuit, with both overhead lines and the cable, the Romanian company stated on its website.
The deal will be realized with the participation of several subsidiaries of Romelectro Group. Engineering and design will be provided by Institute for Studies and Power Engineering (ISPE), metal towers are manufactured by CELPI Bucharest, while specialists from Electromontaj Sibiu will assist with implementation and commissioning.
“We won this international tender because we had the best offer, both technically and financially. As announced, we have redefined our group’s corporate strategy, one of the directions being the return to foreign markets. The territory of former Yugoslavia is of interest to us, because there are significant investments in new power generating capacities or in retrofitting of the existing ones, as well as upgrading and expanding of transmission and distribution networks,” said Cristian Secoşan, general manager of the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor. The contract is part of a broader portfolio of works, through which Balkan countries consolidate their power transmission systems to improve quality and safety of power supply and enable regional interconnection, he added.
KOSTT aims to fulfill one of the key requirements for transmission network security for the membership in the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (Entso-E).
The project is a part of an investment programme for power transmission upgrade, consisting of a loan of EUR 30 million from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, EUR 4.5 million of the company’s funds, and a grant of EUR 2 million from the EBRD. KOSTT aims to fulfill one of the key requirements for transmission network security for the membership in the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (Entso-E). Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Balkan Petrol Energy and ABB were selected for two other lots, including transformers and substations, while consultation services are provided by AF-Consult and Elia.
* This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSCR 1244/99 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
