Austria to Build Hydropower Plant in Albania

Austria to build hydropower plant in Albania

TIRANA, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) — Austrian electricity company Verbund has been awarded a contract to build a hydropower plant in Albania, local media reported Tuesday.

Verbund signed the deal worth 160 million euros (229.6 million US dollars) with Tirana Tuesday to build the plant on the Drin River in northern Albania.

The hydropower plant, which is scheduled to be in operation in 44 months, would have an annual production capacity of 230 GWH.

Albania has been suffering chronic power shortages since 1990 due to soaring domestic consumption, non-payment of electricity bills, an ageing power generating system and poor maintenance.

The nation depends heavily on hydropower, with 90 percent of its electricity produced in the north from hydroelectric plants which have suffered from low rainfall and outdated technology in recent years.

The last plant built in Albania was some 30 years ago and there has been little investment in the grid since.

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