PM Berisha inaugurates undertaking of development project on Southern 110 kW power line

During his visit to Korça region, Prime Minister Sali Berisha inaugurated on 19 June the kickoff works on development of Southern Albania 110 kW power line, a 35 million USD investment financed by the government of Germany through KfW Bank, which he described as the “Southern energy superhighway”. The project started with invigoration and strengthening of Zemblak substation of 400/110 kW at an amount of 4.4 million Euros and which consists Lot 1.

“The construction of the Circuit Line in South Albania or the Southern energy superhighway, -said the prime minister- is of capital importance so that to respond in the fastest and best way to the major requirements and the rapid development of the Southern area of the country in the context of the unprecedented touristic boom, the free initiative of the local citizens of these areas, the extraordinary energy resources of the rivers in the Southern areas and that are set to development”.

The project carries also Lot 2, the construction of the 110 kW line of 250 km long at an investment value of 30.5 million Euros. The 110 kW line includes building of the double line Vlorë-Sarandë, 105 km; Ersekë-Përmet, 55 km; Përmet-Këlcyrë-Memaliaj, 36 km; the building of the second circle of the 110 kW line Zemblak-Korça, 13 km; the extension of the facilities in the substations of Babicë, Sarandë, Memaliaj, Përmet and Korçë.

The construction of Babicë-Sarandë line completes an important part of the 110 kW electric network of the South-western area, through increase of security and improvement of electricity supply of the area. The new 110 kW line in the coastal area of the Ionian creates the possibility of building110/20 kW substations in this area that improve electricity infrastructure as indispensability for development of quality tourism. Thus, the strengthening of 400/110 kW Zemblak substation and the extension of the 110 kW network in the South-eastern area will complete part of the existing 110 kW network of the South-eastern area. The 110 kW line in Vjosa valley will create the opportunity of the hydropower stations connection into the transmission network that will be built in the upper flow of the river.

The project has a considerable impact as it eliminates electricity supply interruptions because of defects and electric network overload and it also has a great benefit in reduction of electricity losses.

In the energy sector are invested 720 million Euros in quality improvement and reconstruction of the network besides investments in water resources; there are signed 130 concessionary contracts for building of 365 electric power plants with an installed capacity of 1650 MGW and an investment of 2.8 billion Euros; there are put into operation 66 electric power plants with a total installed capacity of 205 MGW and a total investment of 280 million Euros; during the current year are entered 12 contracts about building of 46 new electric power stations. More than 5 thousand employees are directly employed and 12 thousand others indirectly. Likewise, there are licensed 15 companies to build eolic parks with an installed capacity of about 1600 MW mainly in the coastal area of the country beginning from Lezha region in the North up to Saranda region in the South.

PM Berisha said the following at the inauguration event:

“Honoured participants! This is an event of extraordinary importance for the Albanian energy network. The construction of the Circuit Line in South Albania or the Southern energy superhighway is of capital importance so that to respond in the fastest and best way to the major requirements and the rapid development of the Southern area of the country in the context of the unprecedented touristic boom, the free initiative of the local citizens of these areas, the extraordinary energy resources of the rivers in the Southern areas and that are set to development. Let us not forget that Zëmblaku is an international key energy knot and we hope that soon will get built the new line with Macedonia. Albania has all the willingness to increase twice or by three-fold the energy superhighways in the neighbouring countries.

I would like to express the deepest gratitude to the German Development Bank, German taxpayers and to the other institutions that have made a contribution to such an extraordinary important project, the companies that have taken over implementation of this project, quite experienced companies in the field of energy.

Ladies and gentlemen,

During the recent four years, besides investment in water resources, Albania has invested 720 million Euros, in addition to this investment today. Albania will continue to invest, to upgrade, to improve and promote into the best standards its energy network. This is a vital need of Albania because its pace is like that.

Albania has a very promising pace of development. Albania weathered crisis and this is confirmed more and more day by day. Yesterday it was also announced that the Albanian economy withstood crisis. The WB confirmed that joblessness was cut from 13.3 into 12.8 % and it happened in the year when it experienced the highest pace as compared to all the other neighbouring countries and beyond. To have economic growth is to have powerful energy backing. Energy is crucial in support of economic growth. It happens everywhere and fortunately the citizens do not complain any more for absurd cuts of electricity supply, a policy of collective punishment of the Albanian citizens because of strict state interests. No one complains today any more. But, the citizens are looking for better quality; they want to have electricity supply even at the cow shed, at the factory or production unit; they want it everywhere and we are doing that.

The Circuit Line in South Albania gives an opportunity to the Southern entrepreneurs, the touristic industry of the South, the Southern agri-business and the Southern farmers to get supplied with energy of better standards.

This is our alternative. Energy is in the epicentre of our alternative. Following the human resources energy is another crucial condition for rapid development; hence we are so much focused on it.

This investment is of an extraordinary importance even in the context of another fact. The construction works is set to begin soon on Osum cascade with plans of several hydropower stations. In other rivers in Gramsh, Skrapar, Korçë region, Përmet and Gjirokastër are hundreds of hydropower stations projects to be implemented. The most important of all is Vjosa, the most powerful remaining energy resource to get exploited and we are determined that over the next four years to make it a reality.

Dear friends! This is our road of development. What about the opposition? It offers an extraordinary commission on concessionary control headed by the chief fine collector of the country, Koço Kokëdhima. This is the alternative promised here in Korça and after Korça people replied they do not belong to such an alternative, he came out and said to journalists that he is going to check everything extraordinary through an extraordinary commission. In answer to his concerns about age of the people, I say, it’s in line with the mentality of the former communist leadership. But, let us go ahead. We have much to do. We have to transform Albania further into a developed and European-like country. May success attend us!”

energjia.al, 22.06.2013