Croatian power infrastructure company Dalekovod has secured a €19.88 million contract to develop a new underground high-voltage substation in Tirana, Albania. The project is positioned within Southeast Europe’s expanding electricity transmission and distribution investment market.
The contract was awarded by Albanian electricity distribution operator OSHEE. Dalekovod will deliver the work in cooperation with local partners.
Tirana Center substation scope and equipment
The new facility, named Tirana Center, is designed to improve electricity reliability and network capacity in one of the capital’s most densely developed urban areas. The substation will use 110/20 kV gas-insulated switchgear (GIS), enabling major electrical equipment to be installed underground where surface space is limited.
Principal equipment will include four 50 MVA power transformers, providing a combined installed transformer rating of 200 MVA. The design also calls for eight 110 kV GIS bays.
The contract covers protection and control systems, automation equipment, and auxiliary installations. It also includes electrical works and the civil infrastructure required for commissioning.
Urban network needs and regional contracting context
The project reflects the growing role of high-voltage network investment as Southeast European cities face changing electricity demand. It also aligns with efforts to modernise ageing distribution infrastructure.
For engineering contractors, urban substations are described as a specialised market that requires integration of electrical equipment, civil construction, automation, and network protection within constrained locations. Gas-insulated technology can reduce the physical footprint needed for high-voltage installations in dense urban settings.
The Tirana project is also an example of cross-border infrastructure contracting in the Western Balkans. International engineering companies are competing for projects financed or commissioned by national electricity system operators.
For Dalekovod, the award adds to its regional project portfolio and reinforces its position as a supplier of high-voltage electrical infrastructure. The broader commercial opportunity extends beyond individual substation construction as utilities seek transmission and distribution reinforcement for changing consumption patterns, new renewable capacity, and operational reliability requirements.
After commissioning, Tirana Center is expected to improve security of supply in central Tirana while supporting further development of the city’s electricity network.
