TIRANA, April 27 /ATA/ Prime Minister Edi Rama gave welcome to a group of leading companies in the energy market in the USA and EU at the Palace of Brigades. And he expressed the readiness to be involved in implementation of the ambitious plan to transform Albania into a net energy exporter and Balkans champion for energy.
Referring to the big investors in the field of energy, Rama said that although Albania is the smallest player in this room, I am proud that this small gathering in numbers, but large in potential to change the world is taking place in Tirana.
“Thank you for coming to Tirana expressing your interest to jointly develop what is really an important ambitious program of change for Albania and the region and an added value. This change is made possible through channeling of the efforts and energy of the actors coming from the USA, Europe, Azerbaijan and I hope that others will join us in the future “, said Rama.
Referring to his meeting with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, the prime minister highlighted Aliyev’s high interest in being involved in the Ionian-Adriatic pipeline, which can be a great change of the game for our region, but at the same time a source of power and new energy for Europe, so that to gain independence from Russian gas as soon as possible.
“On the other hand, I am very pleased with the progress of transformation of Vlora Thermal Power Plant into an energy production plant and production from solar energy in Albania. A lot of work is being done with the wind energy and a massive work is underway for realizing the old dream of Skavica Hydro Power Plant, which will increase by 20% Albania’s production of hydro energy and will allow us, will give us a push forward “towards energy independence”, said Rama.
The prime minister stressed that, “All these efforts show a concrete potential to transform Albania within this decade into a net exporter of energy, a major thing for a country like Albania.”
Rama also highlighted the great progress made in this direction, while reminding that only few years ago, the Socialist government had to take over a completely bankrupt energy system, where only 50% of energy bills were paid and half the energy produced was lost in the grid.
“We also found the Electricity Power Distribution System Operator (OSHEE) with a debt that amounted to almost 5% of the state GDP and an energy sector that relied entirely on anarchy and lack of investment”, Rama added.
The prime minister also recalled the speech of former US President Donald Trump at a NATO Summit, where he spoke the danger of relying on Russian gas.
Rama thanked especially the US ambassador to Albania, who according to him, has been the cornerstone in opening a door for real work and real big investments in our country./p.s./
