Albanian company Devoll Hydropower Sh.A (DHP) has named a joint venture comprised of Mott MacDonald and Coyne et Bellier as owner's engineer for the development a 280-MW hydroelectric project.

The Devoll project consists of three hydropower plants to be constructed along the Devoll River in southern Albania. The facilities -- to be located at Banja, Kokel and Moglice -- will be developed over a six-year period with generation beginning by the end of 2015.

The Mott MacDonald/Coyne et Bellier joint venture will review the designs and manage all aspects of the project implementation, including supervision and assisting DHP with the negotiation and awarding of construction and supply contracts.

HydroWorld.com reported in June 2009 that a ceremony had been held to mark the beginning of construction, although DHP says that "ground breaking" only marked the beginning of the project's "pre-construction phase."

According to the group's website, DHP has spent the intervening time acquiring various licenses, permits and approvals.

Also in Albania, HydroWorld.com reported in September that Korporata Elektroenergjetike Shqiptare (KESH) is seeking bids for spillway gates and stoplogs as part of the rehabilitation of the 500-MW Fierza and 600-MW Komani hydroelectric projects on the Drin River