TIRANA, April  11 /ATA/ The Albanian Power Exchange started operations on Tuesday by launching the first day- ahead market auction.

Deputy Prime Minister, also Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, Belinda Balluku, stated at the launch of the Energy Exchange that Albania is today in its best position in the region in terms of energy strategy.

“Albania is in its best position ever in the region in terms of the energy strategy and development  as part of its effort to achieve the objective of becoming a net energy exporter in 2030. We have followed a difficult process to design this strategy and make it coherent. The diversification of renewable sources is the main goal, but we do not forget the fact that sustainability and energy security remain the key,” she said.

Balluku pointed out that the year 2022 showed that we were in dire need of having an energy exchange up and running for Albania and Kosovo.

“This task took us 5 years to be carried out and at some moments it seemed impossible for us, but the year 2022 showed that we were in dire need of an energy exchange for Albania and Kosovo. Today we launch the first ALPX auction of the first ahead day, thus creating an opportunity to have three more intraday auctions within 12 months, completing this process,” said Balluku.

According to her, this is the second energy exchange in the region, belonging to Albania and Kosovo.

“It will be a new challenge. Now we take a new step forward in the creation of liquidities that this  energy market should have. The priority of the Albanian government is to protect family members and businesses from the skyrocketing market prices,” stated Balluku.

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