Projected annual electricity generation of Albanian HPP Skavica is 915 GWh, but it would also increase the electricity production potential of downstream HPPs – Fierza and Koman by a total of 80 GWh per year.
The Albanian Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the construction of hydropower plant Skavica with the US construction and engineering company Bechtel.
The statement from the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure said that the MoU envisaged joint preparation of the action plan for the implementation of HPP Skavica project, adding that the Government also secured US financial support for the construction of 210 MW HPP Skavica. The construction of the plant should start in 2021, following the conclusion of international tender which should be launched in October.
In May, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said that the Government will finance the construction of hydropower plant Skavica on the Drin river in northern Albania, a project worth some 350 million euros.
Last year, state-owned Power Corporation (KESH) launched a feasibility study for the construction of HPP Skavica. The company said in a statement that 21-month feasibility study for HPP Skavica will be conducted with the support of a group of consultants from Infrastructure Project Facility – Technical Assistance 6 (IPF 6) and financed by the Western Balkan Investment Frakmework (WBIF). This phase of the project is supported by the WBIF with a grant worth 1.5 million euros awarded to KESH at WBIF meeting held in 2017. KESH said that HPP Skavica is an ambitious and significant project for reforming and further developing the Albanian electricity sector. In 2015, the Government failed to award concession for the construction and operation of the HPP despite the interest of two Turkish companies.
