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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
