A new power substation has become operational ahead of the upcoming tourist season in the 35-kilometer long Lalzi Bay in Durres district, considered one of the best beaches along the Adriatic Sea, a major investment in the area, where no investment to boost power transmission and distribution was carried out since 1967. The new investment worth EUR 10 million will finally address the power supply problems in the whole coastal area. Prime Minister Edi Rama inspected first-hand the power substation in Lalzi Bay. The head of the Power Distribution Operator (OSHEE) Ardian Çela said that the utility has already launched the second phase of investment, with the already signed contract primarily focusing on construction of the first three feeders of the 20-kV distribution network with new substations and new power grid to provide electricity supply to the whole coastal area in Lalzi Bay.

“In light of development in this area, we started with substation that is ALL 460 million in worth, an investment of Power Distribution Operator. The OST (Transmission System Operator) will install the 110-kw high voltage power line. From this moment on, we have started work on the first three feeders. There are 8 other feeders in total to cover this area, Maminas, Sallmone, Hamallaj, Lalzi Bay, Ishëm, Cape Rodon. In the coming years it will respond to the area’s tourism development. It’s an investment worth EUR 10mln. In the next tourist season this area will no longer suffer power supply challenges, “Çela said.

He added that this substation will also be included in the new SCADA system, which provides online control of the network, as it is operating in Tirana and other cities.

“It is a state of the art investment. It also entails SCADA platform that is integrated with the central SCADA, so in the future these substations will operate online,” the head of OSHEE said.

Noting that a contract on construction of a two five-star hotels was signed few days ago, Prime Minister Rama said that with the area emerging as a top tourist destination, such investment in the power supply and distribution network is indispensable.

“It is an area with great tourism development potential. Added to that, the construction of new hotels, including the capacities and demands, should be supported by a normal power supply,” the Premier said.

The substation will supply the beach of Lalzi Bay, Manza area, Ishmi up to Cape Rodon. In Durres, OSHEE has invested about ALL 5.6 billion over the last 4 years.