Albania introduces obligations for public, private sector to increase energy efficiency

Changes to the law on energy efficiency in Albania set mandatory energy efficiency targets for the public, private sector, and large consumers.

The parliamentary committee on production activities has approved the amendments to the law on energy efficiency which establishes a series of obligations in terms of reducing energy consumption by the public and private sector, according to the local media.

Starting from September 1, 2021, the public sector must renovate a minimum of 3% of the total stock of ​​public buildings annually to meet the minimum requirements for energy performance.

Also, large energy consumers, after receiving energy audits, have to draft an action plan to save at least 4% of electricity consumed, the media reported.

The law obliges municipalities to prepare local action plans for energy efficiency

For the first time, the law obligates municipalities to prepare local action plans for energy efficiency, which include policies and measures to save energy in all sectors on the local level, based on their energy consumption.

According to the latest Energy Community report from November 2020, the revised energy efficiency law is finalized in cooperation with the Secretariat.

The new law is drafted in cooperation with the Energy Community Secretariat

Albania’s progress in the energy efficiency sector hinges upon the adoption of drafted legislative amendments transposing Directive 2012/27/EU and the adoption of missing by-laws implementing the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and new labeling regulations. To rectify these non-compliance issues remains a priority for Albania, especially the adoption of the new energy efficiency law, the secretariat’s report reads.

In 2018, final energy consumption in Albania was 2,126 ktoe, an increase of 2% compared to 2017. The expected consumption in 2020 was 2,132 ktoe.