Project description

The Ashta power plant produces approximately 240 million kilowatt-hours of electrical power. As many as 100,000 Albanian households are supplied with electricity from renewable sources.

The plant is effectively split in two: Ashta 1 first generates electricity where, three decades earlier, the Spathara Reservoir with its effluent weir and several small irrigation plants for farming were erected. And then, at the end of a 5-km, low-lying bypass channel near the village of Ashta, electricity is generated once again, this time by Ashta 2. The combined capacity of both plants (Ashta 1 and Ashta 2) is 53 megawatts (MW).

Project Area

The Ashta hydropower plant is located in the north of Albania near Shkoder, the fourth largest city in the country.

Technical data

The most outstanding aspect of this power plant is its use of HydroMatrix® turbines. This power plant is the largest of its kind in the world.

The matrix technology – based on small turbines roughly the size of a telephone box – enables a particularly efficient utilization of hydropower and was specially designed for low heads.

Ashta power plant differs from a conventional run-of-river power plant with bulb turbines in that it basically employs a higher number of turbines.
For the two power plant facilities as many as 45 turbines are installed each, which were pre-installed in the factory and delivered complete to the construction site.

The construction for the upper power plant started in the beginning of 2010 with a total investment of more than 200 million euros. Since the completion of works in 2013, the electricity generated is fed into the Albanian 110-kV grid.

Energy for Albania

A special project company – Energji Ashta Shpk – was formed for the plant’s construction, operation and funding. The power plant improves security of supply in Albania and helps to reduce the country’s dependence on electricity imports. It has been planned in an environmentally compatible way and produces no emissions.

Once the 35-year concession period is over, the power plant will be transferred to the Republic of Albania.
Ashta HPP is based on water model experiments, the water level in the area of the reservoir will not be threatened by the project.

Clean Development Mechanism

The Ashta project was erected in accordance with the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) regulations issued in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It will produce no CO2 emissions and – being a hydropower plant – it will save around 114,000 tons of CO2 per year.

Corporate Social Responsibility

Having constructed the first successful concessionary hydropower plant in the country, the project – company Energji Ashta has set high standards in socially responsible engagements.

The company stands for fairness and reliability towards all stakeholders group. Energji Ashta has proven over the years to be a loyal partner for the surrounding area. The company has provided undisputable support on many moments of national vulnerability such as the heavy floods of 2010. It has supported the municipality of Bushat by providing them with an ambulance truck.

Energji Ashta continues supporting with scholarships two students of the Austrian School “Peter Mahringer” in Shkodra. Over the years the company has focused almost all socially responsible activities in the education system, involving the local youth in becoming environmentally aware and contributing with their projects to educate the community in conducting a conscious environmental behavior.

Environmental Policy

Energji Ashta commits itself to providing a quality service in a manner that ensures a safe and healthy workplace for our employees and minimizes our potential impact on the environment.
Energji Ashta also acknowledges and accepts its responsibility to conduct its business in compliance with all relevant environmental legislation and will strive to use the best environmental practices in all its activities.

Our Environmental Policy therefore, is to:

integrate the consideration of environmental concerns and impacts into our decision making and activities
continuous management of adequate ecological water flow and fish passage to protect aquatic life and wildlife according to the agreements and laws in force
continuous monitoring of ground and surface waters
minimize our waste and continuous management of the waste collected from the river
minimize energy and water use within our buildings in order to conserve supplies and minimize the consumption of natural resources
train, educate and inform our employees about environmental issues that may affect their work
promote environmental awareness to residents of surrounding areas and among our employees and encourage them to work in an environmentally responsible manner
communicate our environmental commitment to clients, customers and the public and encourage them to support it
where required by legislation or where significant health, safety or environmental hazards exist, develop and maintain appropriate procedures
update our Environmental Policy annually in consultation with staff, associates and customers

As technology advances and regulations change, Energji Ashta will continue to improve systems, reduce waste and efficiently utilize resources to meet the environmental challenges of the next century.

Energji Ashta will make available to interested parties, its environmental program and its environmental control activities. This document can be downloaded here.

Official Document

Download full program of Environmental Policy in pdf format.

Download

Chronology

January 2008

Albanian government opens new tender on the project

July 2008

Verbund and its innovative concept wins the tender

September 2008

Concession agreement for the Ashta project is signed between Verbund and METE – Ministry of Economy, Trade and Energy

October 2008

Start of first analyses for project pre-construction phase and permits

December 2008

Establishment of project company Energji Ashta, a 100% subsidiary of Verbund

February 2009

Urban Study is granted

April 2009

Ministry of Environment grants Enivronmental Permit

July 2009

Albanian System Operator OST grants Grid Connection Permit

July 2009

National Albanian Board of International Commitee for Large Dams accepts project design

September 2009

Documents for Energy Licence are submitted

September 2009

Signing of agreement for electromechanical equipment between “Energji Ashta” and “Andritz Hydro”

September 2009

Documents for Construction Permit are submitted

October 2009

Site Permit is granted

December 2009

Energy License is granted

January 2010

Construction Permit is granted

March 2010

Start of Construction