Albanian Power Exchange – ALPEX to become operational at end of March

The launch of the Albanian Power Exchange is set for the end of this month. According to earlier announcements, the introduction of a day-ahead market and the start of trading were expected in the second half of the year.

After several delays, the Albanian Power Exchange (ALPEX) will become operational at the end of March, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Belinda Balluku said. Speaking at an energy conference in Tirana, she added the bourse would guarantee transparency, competition and efficient use of capacities.

Balluku asserted that EUR 1.3 billion in private investments are underway in the energy sector in Albania. She pointed out that technical losses in the electric power system have been cut by 19.6%.

Balluku: Technical losses in the grid in Albania have been reduced by 19.6%

The winner of the first wind power auction in the country will be known in May, the minister noted. Sixteen international companies have participated, Balluku said. Six companies and consortiums continued to the second phase. Preparations are underway for another solar power auction, which should be held this year.

Albania and Kosovo* completed the regulatory framework for ALPEX last year. According to an announcement from December, the introduction of a day-ahead market and the start of trading were expected in the second half of this year.

Earlier this month, Albania and Montenegro agreed to establish another electricity interconnection.

SEEPEX in Serbia is still the only power exchange in the Western Balkans

The Montenegrin Power Exchange – MEPX was supposed to be launched by the end of 2022 with the introduction of a day-ahead market, but the go-live was pushed back to April. North Macedonia is preparing to launch an electricity exchange in May.

Serbia’s SEEPEX, still the only power bourse in the Western Balkans, scheduled the introduction of an intraday electricity market for June.