TIRANA, July 5 /ATA/ The contract for the first phase of the project on construction of the Skavica hydropower plant, a project of special importance for the Albanian electricity sector, was signed on Monday .
The agreement was signed by the head of the Albanian Power Corporation (KESH), Ergys Verdho and the representative of the Bechtel company.
Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, Belinda Balluku, stated that the first phase of the project includes the preparatory work for conducting the environmental, technical, and social studies to move on to the second phase which includes the construction of the Skavica HPP.
“The next step towards realizing a long-standing dream,” Balluku said.
A period of 18 months will be available for compiling these studies, the minister said.
Balluku said that this HPP will play the role of a regulator for existing HPPs, increasing by 20% domestic energy generation capacities and significantly reducing the reliance of Albania on energy imports. The Minister cited the protection of the Nenshkodra area from flooding but also the positive social impact that the Skavica HPP have on the local community of the area.
Justin Siberell, Regional President for Europe, Africa and the Middle East at the Bechtel, highlighted the co-operation with the government in this historic and important project.
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