North Macedonia has relaunched work on its long-delayed electricity interconnection with Albania, with transmission system operator MEPSO announcing the restart of the 400 kV transmission line project after selecting a new path forward.
The project is designed to directly connect the transmission networks of the two countries, a step expected to significantly strengthen energy supply security and improve regional electricity trading across the Balkans.
On the North Macedonian side, the project includes the construction of a 97.5-kilometer transmission line, a new transformer substation near Ohrid, and an additional transmission bay in Bitola. Authorities have set a completion timeline of 30 months, aiming to accelerate integration with neighboring energy systems.
Financing for the project has been supported by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), which approved a €37 million loan and helped secure an additional €12 million grant through the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF). The total investment value, however, has not been publicly disclosed.
The project initially entered the construction phase in early 2022, but implementation was later disrupted. In late 2024, MEPSO terminated its contract with Energo-invest, citing non-performance and additional payment requests. Following this, a new contractor tender was launched in April 2025 to move the project forward.
At the same time, Albania began construction of its section of the interconnection at the end of 2023. The restart of works on the North Macedonian side now represents a key step toward completing the cross-border link, which is expected to enhance regional grid stability and support deeper market integration.
