Albania inaugurated a EUR 70 million power transmission line of 400 kV, linking the country with Kosovo*, SeeNews reported. The interconnection is 241.1 kilometres long.
The 151.1 kilometres on the side of Albania cost EUR 29 million. The section was financed by a loan from Germany’s KfW Development Bank. The construction of the power line started in 2014. The Albanian part was built by Bosnian engineering company Energoinvest, while the 90 kilometre section in Kosovo* was installed by Croatian power equipment maker Dalekovod and was also funded by KfW.
“This is a milestone not only in the integration of our energy markets, but also a milestone in the integration of our countries, in our economic integration and beyond,” Albania’s prime minister Edi Rama said at the inauguration ceremony.
Kosovo* and Albania have so far been connected via a 220 kV link with a transfer capacity of 200 MW. The new line is set to boost it to 900 MW, enabling increased exchange of electricity in case of deficit on either side.
Almost all of Albania’s power is produced by hydropower plants, while that of Kosovo* comes chiefly from lignite coal. Both countries suffer power shortages due to insufficient output, ageing grids and theft.
* 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.
