The project, worth around Euro 160 million is being implemented by “Energji Ashta,” a 50/50 joint venture between Austria’s Verbund and EVN
TIRANA, July 5 – The first phase of the construction of Ashta hydropower plant, Albania’s 48-MW run-of-river projectנthe fourth large hydropower plant on the northern River Drin cascade and the biggest HPP project during the past 20 years– has already been completed by the Austrian companies implementing it.
The inauguration ceremony of Ashta 1 HPP on Tuesday was attended by Prime Minister Sali Berisha who praised the Austrian consortium for its performance.
“We remain determined to make every effort encouraging the construction of 443 hydropower plants in this country,” said Berisha, adding that the government has signed concession contracts for the construction of 220 HPPs during the past three years, 36 of which are under construction.
The project is being implemented by “Energji Ashta,” a 50/50 joint venture between Austria’s Verbund and EVN which are constructing a world innovation in Albania: the largest matrix power plant using small turbines. The Ashta HPP is being erected in northern Albania, in Bushat village, Shkodra. The hydro project’s estimated cost is EUR 160 million (US$227 million).
Earlier this year, the Austrian companies said the project was on schedule for completion by 2012.
Some 200 people are currently involved in the project’s implementation which is expected to finish by the end of 2012. Construction works started in March 2010.
The project is to feature Hydromatrix technology, a trademarked product of Andritz Hydro, employing about 90 small turbine-generators installed in modules.
By means of the particularly efficient and innovative matrix technology, 240 million kilowatt hours of electricity are to be generated starting at the end of 2012. With that, 100,000 Albanian households will be supplied with electricity from clean hydropower.
The river Drin is currently used by a chain of HPPs. The planned Ashta HPP will be the last in this chain and located below Vau I Dej쳠HPP, about 50 km from the outflow of river Drin in the Adriatic Sea.
