Moglicë Extension Pumped-Storage HPP
Statkraft is developing a large-scale Pumped-Storage Hydropower Plant in Albania. Moglice Extension Pumped-Storage HPP is a part of the Devoll Hydropower Project Concession.
Moglice Extension Pumped-Storage HPP “PS Moglice Extension”
Statkraft’s Moglice HPP is the largest private hydropower plant in Albania with an installed capacity of 197 MW. Moglice HPP has a large reservoir of approx. 380 million m3 with a potential to develop a large-scale Pumped-Storage Hydropower Plant as an extension to the existing reservoir – the PS Moglice Extension.
The Pumped-Storage plant is one plant in the Statkraft’s Concession Agreement with the Government of Albania, where two plants (Banja and Moglice) are constructed and in operation since 2016 and 2020 in the Devoll river.
PS Moglice Extension comprises the construction of an underground powerhouse, tunnels, dam, and an upper reservoir of approx. 25 million m3, while utilizing the existing Moglice HPP Reservoir as the lower one. The planned installed capacity is up to 1620 MW (1200 MW +/- 35%), with an estimated energy storage capacity of approx. 30 GWh.
The Feasibility Study for the project is completed and submitted to the respective Albanian authorities for approval. The Feasibility Study was conducted by the engaged Consortium between the Norwegian company “Multiconsult Norge AS” and the French company “Tractebel Engineering SA”, involving also Albanian companies. Extensive geological and other technical investigations were conducted, along with the environmental and social impact assessment to support the conclusions for the Feasibility Study.
The feasibility is concluded based on the expected energy market development to 2030 and beyond. The plant is therefore positioned in a future regional energy market, allowing for equitable and predictable business environment locally and regionally. Hence, ensuring long-term competitiveness with equal access to energy products and contracting opportunities for investors in Albania and the region.
The project development is linked to the progress on key focus areas in Albania and the region, such as the future development of the energy market and balancing needs, Electricity Integration Package implementation, the renewable targets and growth and the transmission system development.
The investment decision for the project will be based on maturity of key focus areas and commercial risk exposure in the next phases. Upon approval of the Feasibility Study, the Concession Agreement recognises the right to commence construction of the project until latest end of 2033.
Enabling the green transition
PS Moglice Extension can be a green energy storage solution that provides balancing energy in a market where the energy generation is expected to have a large share of intermittent renewable sources like solar and wind. The plant can also improve security of supply by delivering ancillary services and be an accelerator of the green transition in Albania and the region by enabling new renewables to come to the market.
ESIA in PS Moglicë Extension project
About Devoll Hydropower Sh.A.
Devoll Hydropower Sh.A. (DHP) is an Albanian registered company, part of the Norwegian Statkraft Group. In line with a Concession Agreement, DHP is responsible for the implementation and operation of the Devoll Hydropower Project along the Devoll River, in southeast Albania. The Concession Agreement is based on a BOOT model and was signed with the Government of Albania on 19.12.2008, approved by the Albanian Parliament through the Law no. 10083, dated 23.02.2009, amended.