Works begin on North Macedonia – Albania electricity transmission line
North Macedonia: On 17 February, works commenced on the 400 kV transmission line that starts from the transformer station "Bitola 2."
Image source: WBIF
North Macedonia: On 17 February, works commenced on the 400 kV transmission line that starts from the transformer station “Bitola 2.”
The line connects the power transmission systems of North Macedonia and Albania.
The project has exceptional regional strategic and capital value, as it completes the process of connecting North Macedonia to the power transmission systems of all the neighbouring countries, adding to the already operational five 400 kV interconnections – two connections with Greece and one each with Serbia, Kosovo and Bulgaria.
This transmission line is part of the larger capital project of $55.8 M (€50 M) for the interconnection of North Macedonia with Albania, including the construction of a transformer station in near Ohrid which started in August 2021, as well as the expansion of the 400/110 kV transformer station “Bitola 2”. In the context of the entire power chain east-west, the interconnection transmission line Bitola-Elbasan is the key link in the transit of electricity from Bulgaria, through North Macedonia and Albania to Italy.
The new transmission line will provide improved and affordable energy supply to residents and businesses in North Macedonia by normalising voltage levels, stabilising load flow and frequency fluctuations, and decreasing technical losses in the overall transmission system.
The project is supported by Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), which has provided about $16.5 M (€14 M) in technical assistance for project preparation as well as investment grants, out of which $14.5 M (€13 M) represent EU contribution through the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA). The project is expected to be completed in 2023.
Source: WBIF
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