TIRANA, Sep. 20 – New Economy Minister Ilir Meta has called on Albanian Power Corporation (KESH) to take measures to provide 24-hour power supply all over Albania and prevent possible floods caused by water discharges in the Drin cascade hydropower plants during winter.
Speaking during his first visit as Economy Minister, Meta who recently replaced Dritan Prifti, called on KESH officials to be punctual with the implementation of the excess water discharges in the Drin cascade which flooded local areas three times at the beginning of this year causing huge economic damage.
Meta, who is also the country’s deputy’s Prime Minister and former Foreign Minister as the leader of the coalition Socialist Movement for Integration party, stressed the need to coordinate efforts on the implementation of the dam safety project with the donor community.
Later on Tuesday, Meta also had a meeting at the Transmission System Operator officials, calling on them to strengthen and modernize as a condition for the integration of the Albanian electricity system into regional and European networks.
Vlora thermal power plant
Speaking of the Vlora thermal power plant whose construction has been delayed because of technical problems with sea pipes, Meta called for measures to minimize costs from delays.
The newly built thermal power plant in the southern city port of Vlora should been ready to produce electricity since May 20, 2010, according to power corporation, KESH.
Experts have often criticized the high cost of electricity produced by the Vlora power plant which is 13 lek per kWh, 5 lek more than the cost of imported electricity.
The new 97 MW, 112 million dollars low-sulphur distillate oil fuelled power plant is located at a six-hectare site about six kilometers north of Vlora. The project was supported by a 25 million credit from the World Bank’s International Development Association, USD 37.5 million from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, USD 37.5 million from the European Investment Bank, and USD 12.6 million from KESH.
