Saranda and Ksamil, two of Albania's main tourist destinations, are set to benefit from a new power substation designed to address potential load issues during peak season. 
The Directorate of High Voltage at Distribution System Operator, OSSH, has recently opened a procurement procedure with a budget of 599 million ALL (approximately 6 million euros) for the "Construction of the new Xarra 110/20/10kV Substation." The rationale for this investment is outlined in the documents accompanying the procedure. 
The report explains that the current state of the high-voltage network in the coastal region, stretching from Saranda to Ksamil and Konispol, faces challenges with electricity supply during the busy summer months. This new substation, to be located near the villages of Mursi - Xarra in the municipality of Konispol, aims to address both current electricity supply conditions and future demands for the southern coastal tourist areas, including Ksamil, Livadhja, and Konispol. 
According to OSSH, the coastal area from Saranda to Ksamil, a major tourist attraction with a high volume of visitors, is currently served by 10/20kV feeders from the Saranda and Livadhja 110/20kV substations. The new substation will offer several benefits: 
-Increased reliability of electricity supply for approximately 14,000 residential and business customers in the coastal tourist area. 
-Support for tourism development, which is a key economic driver in the region. 
-Enhanced reliability of the 10kV feeders supplying the Ksamil coastal area and improved supply security for areas from Livadhja to Konispol. 
As tourism continues to grow, both Saranda and Ksamil are expanding with new accommodations, necessitating increased energy investments to ensure a reliable supply during the summer season. 
In recent years, Saranda and Ksamil have become prominent tourist destinations, attracting significant international media attention and influencers. This surge in popularity has led to record visitor numbers, particularly last year, and a notable increase in prices this year, which is expected to impact the summer season overall.