KEDS launches power grid digitalization under EUR 4 million project

Kosovo’s* distribution system operator (DSO) KEDS has launched a EUR 4 million project for the electricity network digitalization using a SCADA system, equipped with state-of-the-art technology.

The digitalization project will secure digital grid monitoring and control from the central office in Priština, KEDS said in a press release.

The project will reduce and shorten power outages, according to the press release. In the event of a grid failure, consumers will remain without electricity supply for a much shorter period of time because digitalization provides greater efficiency and shortening of the time for the intervention to restore power, the company said.

Apart from the decrease of outages and highly efficient operation to be secured under the project, grid losses will also be reduced. All of this will lead to an increase in the quality and stability of the company’s services for customers, as well as a more stable voltage, KEDS said.

Grid monitoring from computers, tablets, or mobile phones is also going to be possible. The project will enable deliberate power stoppages in the event of any unexpected events caused by external factors.

The project has been initially launched at 20 substations all over Kosovo*, with a plan to be expanded to the entire power network, KEDS said.

The company is also continuing investments in medium and low voltage facilities.

In September, KEDS announced that it has been building new 20 kV overhead lines and upgrading existing 10 kV lines to 20 kV, with the aim of reducing network losses and improving the security of electricity supply.

KEDS operates a network more than 20,000 km long and around 7,500 substations. Kosovo’s* distribution system operator supplies around 485,000 customers.

The owners of the company, which has been operating since 2013, are Turkey’s Calik Holding and Limak Holding.