Vau i Dejës HPP requires full rehabilitation - KESH starts drafting the strategy, the intervention will bring over 5.4 million euros additional per year

The Vau i Dejës Hydropower Plant, one of the main works of the country's energy system, needs complete rehabilitation, after more than 53 years of operation without substantial intervention.
According to a technical report published by the Albanian Power Corporation and prepared in 2023 by the international consultant Fichtner, the electromechanical equipment of the HEC is outdated and in some cases in critical condition, increasing the risk of unexpected failures and long production interruptions. The report concludes that although the hydropower plant is operating normally, without rehabilitation measures this risk will increase significantly in the coming years. For this reason, Fichtner recommends a complete rehabilitation of the plant.
Meanwhile, in 2025 the Albanian Power Corporation has launched the implementation of the CONNECTA2 project, financed by KfW and the European Investment Bank, which aims to draft a rehabilitation strategy, cost-benefit analysis and environmental and climate impact assessments. This project is considered a logical continuation of the Fichtner report, relying on its findings to determine technical and safety priorities.
Project specialists emphasize that the equipment assessment is being carried out on two main principles: the safety of the dam and the uninterrupted operation of the hydropower plant. One of the main benefits of the rehabilitation is expected to be the increase in energy production efficiency, thanks to more efficient equipment and improved design technology. According to estimates, the modernization could increase production by about 74 thousand MWh per year, about 7.9% more than the annual average since 2007, bringing additional revenues of over 5.4 million euros annually.
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