TIRANA, Oct.8 /ATA/ The Albanian State continues to pay about $ 30 million annually as part of energy compensation for the needy, following the price increase in 2015 as a result of energy reform, the Prime Minister Rama said today at a press conference after the government meeting, while explaining that, “the only increase in energy prices during our government occurred in 2015, when we took the energy reform. The price was set at a level that did not cover the cost, in order to protect household customers and small business.
In his remarks, the premier Rama said that, the difference between the old price and the new energy price, at that time involving about 200 thousand individuals and households, is paid all day by the State. Thus, pensioners and households with financial assistance, receive from the State about 30 million dollars annually as part of compensation for the energy price increase. There are some things we need to bring to attention.”
“Albania does not produce all the energy it needs. Certainly, it sells energy, but it sells it because when there is excessive rainfall there are two ways, either to sell it or to pour the rain, and not just to pour it but also to create floods. This is why the country sells it, and when it is rainy and humid weather the price is lower. Thus, we sell energy when the demand is not high. The price in the market is determined by the supply-demand ratio, not the state,” the premier Rama said.
The Prime Minister Rama clarified that, an economy 100% dependent on rainfall has its own benefits because it has green energy, but on the other hand there are no objectively programmable resources.
The Prime Minister Rama stressed that, although experts say that the crisis will have its peak that will last until the middle of next year, they also underline that prices will not return to their previous level.
The premier Rama also said that, “we will not avoid any commitment we have made. The minimum wage in January 2022 will be 320 thousand ALL and will go up to 400 thousand within the mandate. We will increase other salaries including the private sector.” //a.i/
