Monday 22 February 2016

Albania-Macedonia power link wins €12m grant

A project to transfer energy between Albania and Macedonia has been granted funding totalling €12 million (£9.3m).

The EU is providing the cash to support the construction of the first electricity interconnector between the two countries as well as the introduction of grid efficiency improvements.

The project is part of the European Commission’s initiative to establish an East-West power transmission corridor between Bulgaria, Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro and Italy.

Christian Danielsson, Director General for Enlargement at the European Commission: “Building this transmission line will improve the security of supply and the stability of the two countries' power systems.

“It will also help to develop a regional electricity market in which production and transmission capacity can be managed throughout the Western Balkans, rather than national basis. This will reduce waste and excess capacity."

Last week the European Commission unveiled proposals to ensure energy security in the EU.