In a statement to the media after the government meeting, Karakaçi emphasized that now 10% of energy comes from renewable photovoltaic sources, in contrast to 4 years ago when the country depended 100% on hydropower stations.

“We are taking a plan of measures for transmission lines. In this regard, the line between Albania and North Macedonia is going ahead at a very good pace; there is also the connection project between Albania and Italy. There are also a series of long-term measures launched five years ago that will lead us towards maintaining energy sovereignty,” said Minister Karakaçi.

The minister also spoke about the agreement signed today between OSHEE and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development for the underground electrical substation in Tirana.

According to him, “The central substation is now among the most important assets in terms of security of Tirana’s electricity supply”.

“We have a substation in the center which has limited capacities compared to the pace of development of the city of Tirana. We are currently in a very advanced stages; we have signed the amendment to the financing agreement with the EBRD. The project is for the construction of a new underground substation in the center with three transformers”, said Karakaçi.

The minister emphasized that this is among the few underground substations in the region and Europe. /r.e/a.f/p.s./

During the Foreign Investors Association conference, the minister stated that Albania has successfully diversified its energy portfolio, with solar power now constituting a significant 10% of total domestic electricity production.

Karakaçi assessed that photovoltaic projects through auctions have brought qualitative investments and new standards of transparency and competitiveness, while emphasizing that the private sector has invested even beyond the support schemes.

“Hence, we are pleased to announce a new renewable energy auction scheduled for Q3 2026, in continued partnership with the EBRD”, said the minister.

He noted that the focus has shifted from generation to transmission infrastructure and international interconnection.

“If we want to increase generation capacities, we must invest in transmission, in parallel. Albania aims to become a key energy hub in the region”, said the minister.

In this context, he mentioned the projects for the connection with North Macedonia, the double-increase of capacities with Greece and the interconnection with Italy.

The minister also described the operationalization of the Albanian energy stock exchange ALPEX as a success, emphasizing its role in increasing security for project financing.

According to him, the strategic aim is for Albania to turn from an importing country into a net exporter of energy by 2030, ensuring energy sovereignty.

Karakaçi also emphasized the significance of energy efficiency and announced that work is underway to create a special fund in this regard.

He also highlighted the building of self-production capacities, which have reached about 400 MW, as well as measures to reduce losses and improve the financial sustainability of the sector.

The minister also focused on the significance of investments in human resources and the creation of the Energy Academy, in cooperation with international partners.

According to him, the Albanian energy sector is in continuous development and requires new ideas, investments and open dialogue between all actors. /r.e/a.f/p.s./

The report shows that the gross consumption of energy generated from renewable sources for 2022 in Albania was 44%.

Deputy Prime Minister, at the same time Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Belinda Balluku appreciated this an excellent indicator of the strategy pursued so far and a clear guide for the way forward.

“Albania is in a leading position in Europe for renewable energy. We have exceeded the European objectives, thus ranking among the first countries. An excellent indicator of the strategy pursued so far and a clear guide of the way forward”, she stated in a post in the social media.

The indicator refers to the ratio of energy consumption derived from renewable sources against the total energy consumption (electricity, fuels, etc.).

The use of renewable energy has many benefits, including a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, diversification of energy supplies, and a reduction in dependence on fossil fuel (oil and gas) markets.

The growth of renewable energy sources can also stimulate employment in the EU, through the creation of jobs in new “green” technologies.

Renewable energy sources include wind energy, solar energy (thermal, photovoltaic and concentrated), hydropower, geo-thermal energy, bio-fuels and the renewable fraction of waste./p.s./

Also present were representatives from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy, Enea Karakaçi, General Director of Industry and Energy Policies and Development and Rudina Banushi, Director of Development Programs in the Field of Energy and Energy Efficiency.

The purpose of this draft law is to improve the basic legal regulatory framework of renewable energy in Albania, taking into consideration the various findings and recommendations of international organizations.

During the hearing, those present discussed the content of the draft law, as well as shared ideas and gave their proposals and suggestions in its special articles./p.s./

In a joint statement with the Director of the Energy Community Secretariat, Artur Lorkowski, who is visiting Tirana to present the annual report  on Albania’s progress towards treaty implementation in 2022, Deputy PM Balluku said that “in 2022, Albania has made significant progress in diversifying the renewable energy sources by launching a tenders for renewable and the progress report acknowledges it, considering Albania as part of the treaty.”

Balluku affirmed Albania’s commitment to deliver on the conditions set by the Secretariat .

“2022 has been an important year regarding energy projects, given that energy efficiency programs have been embraced by state institutions, but also by citizens, being considered a good key to success,” she said.

/k.s/ /gj.m/

The Agency for Agricultural and Rural Development said that, so far, there have been financed 18 enterprises, in farms, warehouses, stables and agro-tourism, with investments in the field of renewable energy.

Through the IPARD II program, there has been financed a grant of 5.8 million Euros, while the value of the investment for renewable energy in the agricultural sector is estimated at 14.4 million Euros throughout Albania.

The construction of photovoltaic panels in rural enterprises saves up to 90% of the electricity consumption, which is needed for agricultural and agro-processing activities, thus reducing the costs for the use of electricity.

The support will also continue through the IPARD III Program.

“Farmers and rural enterprises will benefit from a wider access to financing for energy conservation projects thanks to the IPARD III program, which starts next year”, said the agency./p.s./

During opening ceremony of the first auction for wind energy production, which was also attended by Prime Minister Edi Rama, Colangeli described it as an important day for the energy sector and a cornerstone, not only in terms of diversification of energy supply, but also economic development.

“I believe, we live in a time where de-carbonization is the most important thing and the places that can be offered to producers will give them access to European markets,” he said.

According to him, investors see this part even when considering the countries where they want to invest.

“This project, after successful auctions  for solar energy, Albania is establishing itself as an important producer of renewable energy, not only in the Balkans, but also in Europe and this brings profits, not only from the point of view of energy and budget security, but also in terms of the country’s competitiveness to absorb foreign investment”, said Colangeli.

He expressed confidence that there will be competitive auctions in terms of wind.

“They bring good investors. They can see a transparent process, they can see the risks, they can be aggressive and in the end they can select the one that gives competitive prices to the Albanian consumer and definitely attracts knowledge and quality in foreign direct investments”, he added.

According to Colangeli, this project will be more complex and innovative. It will be an auction with many parks, there will be some offers. It will be the investor who will select the land where the park will be built “, said Colangeli. /j.p/p.s./