Albania: OST launched tender for the construction of electricity interconnection with North Macedonia

Albanian electricity transmission system operator OST has launched a pre-qualification phase of a procurement related to the construction of 400 kV electricity interconnection with North Macedonia.
The first lot relates to the construction of 400 kV Fier-Elbasan-Qafe Thane transmission line. Fier-Elbasan section is 74 kilometers long, while Elbasan-Wafe Thane section has 56 kilometers in length. After commissioning, the Fier-Elbasan section would be an integral part of Albanian 400 kV transmission network – so-called Corridor 8.
The second lot envisages the construction of a new Elbasan 3 transformer station, as well as the expansion and modernization of existing Fier transformer station.
The majority of funds for the project is provided by German Development Bank KfW through a loan of 50 million euros. In addition, a grant of 13.7 million euros is provided through the Western Balkans Investment Fund, with another 1.3 million euros for the main design. The Albanian Government will also provide 5 million euros for the project.
The total cost of the project for the construction of 126 kilometers long transmission line between Elbasan in Albania and Bitola in Macedonia is about 70 million euros.