Energy Sector Technical Assistance Project (ESTAP-II) – Feasibility Study for the Kosovo B (UNMIK)/Kashar (Albania) 400 kV Transmission Interconnection Project

Client: UNMIK Trust Agency Energy Division

Name of partner(s): CESI, Italy and Electroconsult, Italy

Start/Completion Date: March 2005 - October 2006

Project description: The overall objective of Task A was to prepare and submit a feasibility study report of the Kosovo–Albania 400 kV transmission line Project, able to meet economic power exchanges between KEK and KESH as well as the anticipated exchanges and transactions of electricity between other countries in the region in the framework of South East Europe Regional Electricity Market (SEE REM). According to ToR it was foreseen to analyze transmission network before and after that the 1st and the 2nd synchronous zones of UCTE are re-interconnected. Meantime after 13 years of separate operation, the resynchronization was done on October 10th, 2004. at 09:34h. At that moment the Regional Electric Power Systems of Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, UNMIK, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia and a part of Ukraine were operating in synchronous with other European Power Systems part of 1st UCTE zone and partners of European Internal Electricity Market.The study was to consider this important event on various activities such as network modelling and network analysis, power exchanges on North–South corridor, etc. The study was divided in two phases:

• I phase: Technical and economic comparison of all proposed interconnection alternatives and making recommendations for the decision making authorities in UNMIK and Albania.
• II phase: the full feasibility study included:
  • determination of potential energy exchanges between UNMIK and Albania;
  • the line impact in improving energy exchange capabilities in SEE;
  • functional/preliminary design and engineering (line and substations);
  • preparation of the topographic survey and EIA reports;
  • economic and financial analysis of the Project including assessment of Economic Exchange of Electric Power.