On March 27, at the Palace of Congresses in Tirana, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Edmondo Cirielli, and the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Belinda Balluku signed the Intergovernmental Agreement for the initiative “Improvement of the electricity distribution network in Northern Albania following the earthquake of 2019”, in the presence of the Ambassador of Italy, Fabrizio Bucci and the AICS Representative in Tirana, Stefania Vizzaccaro.
The Agreement foresees a financing of 35 million euros by the Italian Cooperation, which is part of the larger Italian Pledge of 90 million euros of concessional credits in favour of the reconstruction after the 2019 earthquake. The project aims to support the reconstruction process by upgrading and renewing the electricity grid in Northern Albania through five interventions to restructure and modernize medium and low-voltage lines in the regions of Durres and Shkodra, which were particularly affected by the earthquake.
The initiative will be implemented by the Albanian Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, with the involvement of OSHEE, the national electricity distribution operator, which will supervise the execution of the works.
The improved efficiency of electricity transformation and distribution will allow for a decrease in grid losses, favouring the development of the potential of civil and industrial uses of electricity, while ensuring a continuous and better-quality service for Albanian citizens.
The Programme strengthens the partnership between Italy and Albania and is also in line with the sectoral priorities of the Albanian Government and the strategies defined by the European Union as part of the country’s accession process.
