Vau i Dejes, one of the biggest and oldest hydropower plants (HPPs) in Albania, entered into operation in the early 1970s. Run by the Albanian Power Corporation (KESH) – a public producer, this hydropower plant is the last in the cascade of the three on the Drin River, with Fierza and the Koman facilities upstream.
The Vau i Dejes HPP has 5 x 50 MW vertical Francis turbines with a design head of 52 m and a design discharge of 113 m3/sec.The original electromechanical equipment of the plant was supplied from China and partially rehabilitated between 2003 and 2007, including replacement of several components with new equipment of mostly European origin. Turbines and generators were, however, only refurbished as part of this rehabilitation programme. The key components of the plant are therefore in operation for approximately 50 years without major interventions.
As a result, KESH with the financial cooperation of KfW Development Bank are preparing a full rehabilitation of the plant including all works identified to be replaced or rehabilitated.
With a full rehabilitation, the technical lifetime of the Vau i Dejes HPP can be extended for another 30 years assuming proper maintenance. This approach also ensures compatibility of components, minimizes the total accumulated outage time of the plant and provides the highest long-term availability and reliability of the equipment.
The overall objective of the CONNECTA 2 assignment is to develop the final strategy of the rehabilitation, precise the scope and make the necessary financial, environmental and social studies in order to prepare the rehabilitation project for acceptance by the financial institutions.
The specific objective of the CONNECTA 2 assignment is to:
- Evaluate and update existing rehabilitation design;
- Update the cost-benefit analysis for all rehabilitation alternatives;
- Perform financial and economic analysis for the best options that are technically viable;
- Develop the detailed scope of supply;
- Develop the detailed implementation schedule;
- Recommend a clear procurement strategy;
- Develop a full Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA);
- Develop a full Climate Impact Assessment (CIA); and
- Sounding of possible suppliers.
To mark the start of the CONNECTA 2 technical assistance to the Vau i Dejes HPP Rehabilitation project, a kick-off meeting was held on 13 March, 2025. The meeting was attended by the representatives of the Albanian Power Corporation (KESH), the Albanian Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy, State Agency for Strategic Programing and Aid Coordination (SASPAC), KfW Development Bank, European Investment Bank (EIB), EU Delegation in Albania and the CONNECTA 2 team.
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Additional information on the assignment can be obtained by contacting Ole Johansen, CONNECTA 2 Clean Energy Key Expert, at ole.johansen@connecta-ta.eu.
