Albania is trying to position itself as the export route for cheap Balkan hydro power

Albania is trying to position itself as the export route for cheap Balkan hydro power into Italy, ahead of Montenegro.
An undersea electricity interconnector between the two countries could be more feasible than a cable linking Montenegro and Italy, according to an Albanian energy expert.
Last week the Albanian government signed a memorandum of understanding with German engineering company Streicher to establish a consortium to develop the project (see EDEM 26 February 2015). The next step would be a feasibility study.
Building a 400kV line between Italy and Albania is on the list of projects of Energy Community interest.
In the meantime the 1GW Italy-Montenegro project initially expected to launch this year has faced numerous delays because of the Croatian government’s decision to explore the potential for oil and gas basins located under its territorial waters. The latest deadline is set for 2018.