After a prolonged period of stagnation, one of the largest energy projects of the past decade commenced today. The laying of the foundation stone for the 400 kV interconnection line between North Macedonia and Albania marks the restart of the project, which is of strategic importance for energy stability and regional integration. The project is part of the pan- European Corridor 8, which will enable direct connection of the power systems of both countries, supply stability growth, and advanced cross-border electricity exchange.
“This interconnection is not just cable, tower, and transmission line. The infrastructure is a confidence bridge, example how two countries could build something beneficial for them and the whole region. Cooperation between North Macedonia and Albania in the energy sector is natural, necessary, and forward-looking. Our systems can complement one another, and our resources can create synergy,” said Assistant. Prof. Dr. Burim Latifi, the General Director of AD MEPSO.
Recalling the reasons that had blocked the project for years and the hard work invested in restarting it, Latifi added, “We found a completely stalled project. In four years, less than 4% of the project had been implemented. Consequently, we identified the weak points, removed the administrative barriers, and, shortly after, transformed this project from a project on paper into a project on the ground. This investment, which had been blocked for a long time, has finally been restarted and is entering its most important phase – the construction phase.”
Emphasizing the importance of the project for regional connectivity, the Minister of Energy of the Republic of Albania, Enea Karakaçi, said that this is an investment in shared security, development, and European integration. The Deputy Head of the EU Delegation, Nupnau Ben, pointed out that by investing in this project and supporting cross-border energy connectivity, not only is the energy security of North Macedonia and Albania ensured, but also that of the EU.
“In these turbulent times of geopolitical change, more than ever, we must continue to jointly build a true union by strengthening networks, developing renewable energy sources, building interconnections, and integrating markets in order to increase the supply of energy from clean, green, and domestic sources.”
This project establishes a new energy bridge between the region and Europe, with significant economic and development benefits, said the EBRD representative, Fatih Turkmenoglu. For this strategic project, the EBRD has already provided a loan of EUR 37 million to MEPSO and mobilized an additional investment grant of EUR 12 million through the Western Balkans Investment Framework.
“The start of construction of the interconnection transmission line from SS Bitola 2 via SS Ohrid to the North Macedonia–Albania border is a strategic foundation for the new energy map of our country,” said the Minister of Energy, Sanja Bozhinovska.
“What we are starting today will last much longer than one mandate, one generation, or one economic cycle. We are building the infrastructure that will be used by future generation capacities, new industries, digital platforms, data centers, and the generations to come.
That is why I believe that today will be recorded as an important milestone in the development of Macedonian energy,” she said.
“The Bitola–Elbasan transmission line closes the energy gap,” said Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski.
“For the first time, we are becoming fully interconnected with all neighboring electricity systems. This means greater security for citizens and stability for the economy,” the Prime Minister stated.