Croatian Company Dalekovod to Build €20 Million Underground Substation in Albania: Valuable Experience for Ukraine

Croatian company Dalekovod, together with local partners, will implement a project to construct an underground electrical substation in Tirana, the capital of Albania. The contract with Albanian electricity distribution operator OSHEE Group is valued at €19.9 million.

The project involves the construction of a 110/20 kV substation equipped with four power transformers, each rated at 50 MVA, providing a total installed transformer capacity of 200 MVA. It also includes eight bays of 110 kV gas-insulated switchgear (GIS), along with modern protection, automation, and control systems.

The new facility will contribute to the modernization of Tirana's energy infrastructure, improve electricity supply reliability, and enable more efficient use of urban space.

Commentary by the Institute of Danube Research

According to experts at the Institute of Danube Research, Albania's experience is particularly relevant to Ukraine amid continued Russian attacks on its energy infrastructure.

The construction of underground electrical substations could become an important element in strengthening the protection and resilience of Ukraine's power system. The use of compact GIS technologies, automated control systems, and additional engineering protection measures can reduce vulnerability to external threats and improve electricity supply reliability. However, underground placement alone cannot guarantee complete protection against missile strikes.

This experience is especially relevant to Odesa Oblast and other Ukrainian regions where stable electricity supplies are essential for the operation of ports, transport infrastructure, industrial facilities, and water supply systems.

The IDR emphasizes that modernizing Ukraine's energy sector should involve not only restoring damaged facilities but also introducing advanced European technologies to protect critical infrastructure and strengthen power grid resilience. The Albanian project could serve as a practical example for developing appropriate engineering solutions in Ukraine.