Statkraft’s Moglicë hydropower plant in Albania has started commercial operations, delivering its renewable power to the Albanian grid.

Moglicë is the larger of the two hydropower plants in the Devoll hydropower project and will generate approximately 450 GWh per year, the Norwegian power producer said on its website.

The installed capacity of the hydropower plant is 184 MW.

Statkraft’s hydropower production in the Devoll valley will reach 700 GWh per year

Together with the Banja hydropower plant (HPP), Statkraft’s hydropower production in the Devoll valley will reach 700 GWh per year, equal to approximately 13% of Albania’s total electricity generation.

HPP Banja, opened in 2016, was Statkraft’s first hydropower plant in the country. A week ago Statkraft announced that it would start the installation of floating photovoltaic units at Banja hydropower plant.

HPP Moglicë includes a 167-meter high asphalt-core rock-filled dam and a 10.7-kilometer long headrace tunnel

Located on the Devoll river in the southeastern part of Albania, HPP Moglicë has a 167-meter high asphalt-core rock-filled dam, a 10.7-kilometer long headrace tunnel, an underground powerhouse with two main generators of 91.5 MW each and a 1 MW eco-flow unit at the foot of the dam.

“Finalising the Moglicë hydropower plant marks an important milestone for Statkraft’s activities in Albania. The country is developing to be the electricity hub of the region, opening up to further opportunities,” says CEO Christian Rynning-Tønnesen.

The power plant was officially opened in the presence of Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Belinda Balluku.