Construction of the 400 kV interconnection line between North Macedonia and Albania has begun. The cross-border transmission line, part of Pan-European Corridor VIII, is now entering the construction phase following previous delays and a tender for the selection of a new contractor. The project includes the construction of a 97.5 km transmission line in North Macedonia, a transformer substation near Ohrid, and a transmission bay in Bitola.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has provided a 37-million-euro loan for the implementation, while the EU co-finances the investment with a contribution of 12 million euros under the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF).
On the Albanian side, works began in December 2023 and are progressing well, according to a WBIF statement.
“This is a strategic basis for the new energy map of our country”, said North Macedonian Energy Minister Sanja Božinovska. “What we are starting today will last much longer than one mandate, one generation or one economic cycle. We are setting up the infrastructure that will be used by future production capacities, new industries, digital platforms, data centres and generations to come.”
Deputy Head of EU Delegation, Mr Ben Nupnau underlined that “by investing in this project, and supporting the cross-border energy connectivity, we ensure not only the energy security of North Macedonia and Albania, but also of the EU.”