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Albania’s Energy Regulatory Authority (ERE) said preparations are underway for the reconstruction of the 220 kV interconnection with Montenegro, but also that another line, of 110 kV, would link the two countries. A separate project is being developed for a 110 kV power line to Kosovo*.
Albania and North Macedonia are building their first power link, an overhead 400 kV line between Bitola and Elbasan, as part of the regional Corridor 8. Acknowledging the need for an increase in transmission capacities and their improvement, the Energy Regulatory Authority (ERE) of Albania said in its annual report that it plans to build secondary, 110 kV interconnectors with Kosovo* and Montenegro.
Albania counts on numerous renewable energy projects in its north and northeast and wants to increase its power export capacity
The existing 220 kV line between Vau i Dejës in Albania and Montenegrin capital Podgorica, with a capacity of 278 MVA, was built in 1972 and it needs to be reconstructed, the regulatory body said. It pointed to numerous initiatives for renewable energy projects in Albania’s north and northeast, requiring more reliable interconnectors with greater capacity.
ERE said a 110 kV overhead power line should be built from Velipoja in Albania to the Montenegrin seaside town of Ulcinj just across the border. The project is in an early phase, it underscored and added that cooperation needs to be established with the authorities in the neighboring country.
The project for another interconnection with Montenegro is in an early phase
The part of the interconnector on the Albanian side should be eight kilometers long. According to ERE, the border area has potential for wind power deployment.
The other planned 110 kV overhead line is envisaged to connect the substations in Bajram Curri and Kukës on the Albanian side with the neighboring areas in Kosovo*, ERE revealed.
The first interconnector, of 400 kV, was finished in 2016, but it was put into operation only in 2020, opening the way for the establishment of a joint power exchange. The project was worth EUR 70 million.
Albania produces almost all of its electricity in hydropower plants, but it is planning to diversify its energy mix and reduce the dependence on power imports.
* 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.
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