Albania to have new electricity link with Italy

ROME, Aug 18 – Italy has approved construction of a 400-kilovolt power link with Albania to boost its electricity imports, the economic development ministry said on Monday.
Italy imports about 12-14 percent of its electricity needs, with most coming from France.
Economic Development Minister Claudio Scajola signed a decree authorizing Italian Moncada Energy Group to build and manage a new power line for the import of power from Albania and Eastern Europe, the ministry said in a statement.
“We are speeding up the procedures for creating new energy infrastructures and connections to guarantee security of supplies,” Scajola said in a statement.
The new interconnector will have a capacity of 500 megawatts and will connect Italy’s southern port of Brindisi and Albania’s Vlora. Its total length will be 155 km with a 130 km long submarine link.
Moncada previously said it planned to begin construction this year. (Tirana Times Staff)