Albania becomes second country to submit draft NECP to Energy Community Secretariat

The Energy Community Secretariat has issued recommendations on a draft National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) of Albania, the second Contracting Party to submit the document for review. Albania’s draft NECP, according to the Secretariat, is a comprehensive overview of current and planned measures, but there is still room for additional policies to help decouple the country’s economic growth from greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

The first Energy Community Contracting Party to submit its draft NECP to the Secretariat was North Macedonia, which did so in the fall of 2020.

Albania’s targets for 2030 include GHG emissions savings of 18.7% and renewables share in final demand of 54.4%

The targets set in Albania’s NECP until 2030 include GHG emissions savings of 18.7%, a final energy consumption reduction of 8.4%, and a renewable energy share in final energy demand of 54.4%.

Commending Albania for being among the frontrunners in drafting a NECP, Energy Community Secretariat Director Artur Lorkowski noted that the country currently has a zero-emission domestic electricity generation sector, which provides a head start for clean development.

Albania’s zero-emission electricity generation allows it to work towards decarbonizing other sectors

In its recommendations, the Secretariat said that Albania’s fully decarbonized domestic electricity production puts it in a unique position among the Contracting Parties and enables it to dedicate resources to decarbonize other sectors, such as industry, which is projected to be among the biggest contributors to emissions increase.

The Secretariat also recommends that the expected level of GHG emission reduction, as well as the associated costs and investment needs, be indicated for each policy and measure. At the same time, policies and measures should include explicit and quantified milestones through which progress can be tracked, according to the Secretariat.

Secretariat recommends the introduction of an emissions trading system by 2030

When it comes to an emissions trading system, the Secretariat recommends that Albania should introduce it by 2030 so that it can start yielding results in emissions reduction before 2040. The country’s final NECP should also provide additional information on how Albania plans to meet the 2050 climate neutrality objective.

Albania should discuss effects of its NECP on other countries in the region

Another recommendation is for Albania is to open discussions with other Contracting Parties on the effects of the country’s NECP on them. The final NECP should contain an assessment of how the envisaged objectives and policies will affect other Parties, according to the Secretariat.

The Contracting Parties that are currently drafting their NECPs are Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo*. The aim of NECPs is to draw up an integrated policy framework to steer decarbonization efforts until 2030 and beyond, aligning with the ambitions of the European Green Deal.