TIRANA, Aug 21 /ATA/ The European Union has endorsed a €87.7 million support package under the Growth Plan to finance the first projects through the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF). In this initial funding phase, Albania will receive €32 million for three projects.
The first project is “Digitalization of the electricity transmission system,” which covers 40 high-voltage substations across the country, thereby increasing the network’s capacity and reducing losses. The project is valued at €95.3 million, with the EU contributing €10.5 million. The completion deadline is set for 2030.
The second project is the reconstruction of the Fierza Hydropower Plant. The investment aims to extend the plant’s lifespan by another 30 years, increasing efficiency by 4% and production by 10%. The second phase of the project is supported by Growth Plan funds with €13.6 million, within a total investment of €64.2 million. The completion deadline for this project is also set for 2030.
The third project includes the construction of the new Rrashbull–Tirana line and the Tirana Ring. This 400/220 kV transmission line is designed to expand the grid’s capacity to meet the capital’s growing energy demand. The project represents an investment of €61.1 million, of which the EU is contributing €8 million, and it is expected to be finalized within this year.
The European Union’s Growth Plan for the Western Balkans is launching its first projects in the field of clean energy across nearly all countries in the region, with Albania standing out as one of the main beneficiaries.
In this phase, Albania has three major projects with a total value exceeding €220 million, of which the EU is contributing €33 million.
In Montenegro, the value of the projects under the first phase of the Growth Plan is around €54 million, with the EU contributing less than €10 million.
Serbia is the country with the most energy diversification–oriented projects (hydro and solar). The two projects are valued at €186 million, with the EU contributing around €41 million.
/Monitor/sm/
