Investments worth $20 million have been implemented to upgrade power distribution network in the north-western region of Shkodra, ensuring constant power supply to more than 70,000 local residents.

Prime Minister Edi Rama today visited the area of Berdice, Shkodra municipality, where the outdated and degraded transmission system built in the ‘70s has been recently replaced under an investment funded by the Power Distribution Operator. The new power line provides constant and quality supply to around 4000 local inhabitants.

The government head noted though a lot remains to be done, the investment in the country’s power distribution network have significantly improved the Distribution Operator’s performance and the power supply to consumers. 

“Let’s be realistic. A lot remains to be done considering what we still need to do. When we took office, the Power Distribution Operator was in a deep hole and all these power lines were abandoned to their fate as they were built since the country’s electrification era. But it is like night and day compared to where we used to be,” the Premier said.

Lawmaker Ilir Beqja said that investments worth over $20 million have been made in Shkodra region alone and the electricity supply quality has been significantly improved for around 70,000 residents. Mr Beqja noted that the investment drive in the power distribution network, in addition to the infrastructure projects, have had a direct impact on growth of local tourism. 

 “Another important investment we expect to finalize here is construction of the power substation in Velipoje. Construction of the road to Velipoje has completed. The new road between Shengjin and Velipoje, the power substation and the sewerage system, already complete, will help tourism in the coastal village of Velipoje a lot,” Beqja said.

The investment included replacement of a considerable part of overhead power lines with new underground lines.