Prishtina, 10.09.2015 – Interconnection Line 400 kV Kosovo-Albania is one of the most important projects in the energy sector, as the benefits of this project go beyond the borders of Kosovo, said the Minister of Economic Development, Blerand Stavileci, during an inspection visit of works in the project.

Other attendees on this occasion were the Minister of Environment and Spatial Planning, Ferid Agani, Ambassador of Germany in Kosovo, Angelika Viets, KfW Board member Ingrid Hengster, heads of KOSTT and companies carrying out the works in the project.

“We are aware that Berlin process is designed on two pillars; the infrastructure and energy, where Kosovo participates in two projects, one of which is this Kosovo – Albania transmission line, which brings many benefits not only for our two countries but also as part of regional cooperation”, said Stavileci.

The Minister commended the news that the project, from their side, will be completed within two months, whereas the works in Albanian are expected to be completed by next year, implying that the beginning of 2017 will be a new stage for energy cooperation between Kosovo and Albania.

From her part, the German Ambassador in Kosovo, Angelika Viets, said that recent studies have shown that energy is one of the main obstacles to foreign direct investment in Kosovo. Therefore, Germany, since the beginning of cooperation with Kosovo, was focused in the energy sector and has thus far supported the sector with 150 million euros.

Ingrid Hengster, KfW Board Member, said that the interconnection is the biggest investment made in Kosovo so far, which Germany has supported with loans through KfW and the project is rightly called the energy highway Kosovo – Albania. According to her, this project will promote the integration of the energy system between Kosovo and Albania, which will take them to the Eastern Europe energy network, and ultimately to the larger European network.
 
Naim Bejtullahu, KOSTT Chief Executive Officer, in technical terms, informed the participants on the achievements of the implementation of this project. He said that so far about 80% of the project has been completed, including the installation of 50 km of conductors and by the end of November this year, the project will be completed.

On this occasion, KOSTT and Siemens signed a contract for LOT 4 for the development of the electricity transmission infrastructure development in Kosovo.