Bids invited to build North Macedonia’s electricity interconnection with Albania

North Macedonia’s state-owned electricity transmission system operator (TSO) MEPSO has invited bids to build a 400 kV transmission line and a new 400/110 kV substation in the vicinity of Ohrid to provide North Macedonia with an electricity interconnection with Albania.

North Macedonia’s electricity interconnection project entails (i) the construction of electricity transmission infrastructure from Bitola to the Albanian border, with a substation at Ohrid and (ii) the introduction of Smart Grid components at MEPSO, according to information available on the website of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), which has approved a loan of up to EUR 37 million for the EUR 49 million project.

The EU is co-financing the project with a EUR 12 million grant. In addition, Luxembourg is providing funds for technical assistance to MEPSO.

Bids for Lot 1 are due by October 28.

Lot 1 is related to the design, procurement, installation, testing, and commissioning of a 400 kV overhead transmission line (OHTL) from 400/110 kV SS Bitola 2, through the 400/110 kV SS Ohrid to the Macedonian-Albanian border.

Bids are due by October 28

The contract is expected to start on December 20, 2019 and last about 30 months.

The same deadline and timeframe apply to Lot 2, related to the design, procurement, installation, testing and commissioning of 400/110 kV Ohrid Substation and Extension of 400 kV Bitola 2 Substation.

This tender will be conducted by e-procurement using the EBRD Client E-Procurement Portal (ECEPP).

By providing North Macedonia with the first interconnection to Albania, the project will provide the missing link in the initiative to establish an East-West electricity transmission corridor between Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro, and Italy.

The section between Bulgaria and North Macedonia has been completed. Albania and Montenegro are connected by a 400kV line and the submarine cable between Italy and Montenegro is planned to be put into commercial use by the end of the year.