Work has started on the construction of a new power substation in Ohrid, a key component of the first electricity interconnector between Albania and North Macedonia announced the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) which is financing the project.
The interconnector will range from Bitola in North Macedonia to the Albanian border, part of the EU’s initiative to establish an east-west electricity transmission corridor between Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro and Italy.
“Supporting crucial, regional cross-border infrastructure is key to creating larger integrated energy markets and increasing energy security in the region,” said Andi Aranitasi, EBRD Head of North Macedonia. “The construction of this new line will help scale up renewable energy capacity in North Macedonia, allowing the country to achieve a faster decarbonisation of its electricity sector and also improve the balancing of electricity systems by connecting the electricity market of North Macedonia, which is dominated by thermal power, to the Albanian electricity market, where hydropower prevails.”
The project completes the 400 kilovolts (kV) electricity ring between Albania, North Macedonia and Greece, enhancing cross-border exchanges in electricity and contributing to the development of the regional market. A further section between Bulgaria and North Macedonia that has also been financed by the EBRD has already been completed. A new 400 kV line between Albania and Montenegro as well as a submarine cable between Italy and Montenegro are also complete and operational.
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.