Switzerland Supports Dam Safety Programme

TIRANA, Dec.20- The Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation in Albania, Yvana Enzler signed an agreement with the Minister of Economy, Trade and Energy, Genc Ruli and the General Director of the Albanian Energy Corporation, Gjergji Bojaxhi on supporting the conduction of a Feasibility Study for Dam Safety Investments at the Drin and Mat River Cascades.
Switzerland aims at contributing in particular to raise the safety of the Albanian dams to European standards. In this context, Switzerland contributed to the rehabilitation of the mechanical equipment in the large hydropower plant of Fierza, being part of a multi-donor supported Drin River Cascade Rehabilitation Project as well as to the construction of the turnkey power substation of 220/110 kV for the city of Durr쳠and it continues to provide technical assistance for the Project Management Unit of the entire multi-supported Power Transmission and Distribution Project.
With a non-reimbursable contribution of around 1 million Euro Switzerland now is funding the elaboration of a Feasibility Study in order to enable the realisation of a comprehensive Dam Safety Programme for Investments at the Drin and Mat River Cascades. The aim of such Dam Safety Programme, which then will be funded by KESH, different International Financing Institutions and Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO, is to protect the 300’000 people who are living downstream of the dams as well as to guarantee a sustainable hydropower production, which is crucial for the entire power supply in the country.
Swiss Cooperation has been present in Albania since 1996 and aims at promoting decentralisation and local governance, the development of the private sector and promoting the access of all citizens to basic infrastructure and social services.
Swiss Cooperation signed during this month two other agreements on supporting the promotion of gender equality throughout the One UN programme in Albania and on the implementation of the Integrated Planning System with an amount of around 850’000 Euro.