Albania’s KESH to draft energy storage strategy with French help

Albanian state-owned power utility KESH launched a partnership with EDF and the French Development Agency (AFD) for a study and the development of an energy storage strategy. AFD has earmarked a grant of EUR 400,000.

Albania still relies almost entirely on hydropower for domestic electricity production, and there is no energy storage on the grid. Change is underway as government-controlled KESH, also known as Albanian Power Corp. or Albanian Electric Power Corp., signed a partnership agreement with Électricité de France (EDF) and Agence Française de Développement – AFD.

The deal is for the evaluation and identification of the most appropriate technologies for integration into the existing infrastructure. It would result in a study and draft energy storage strategy.

AFD will provide a grant of EUR 400,000 for the transfer of state-owned EDF’s expertise, according to KESH. Of note, the utility’s Chief Executive Officer Viola Haxhiademi assumed office in late December.

EDF and AFD have been increasing their activity in the Western Balkans and Southeastern Europe

The aim is to improve flexibility and the integration of renewable energy sources, increase the security of supply and modernize the electricity system within the country’s energy transition and European integration.

The partnership will also work on operational efficiency, climate resilience and long-term sustainability of Albania’s water resources and assets, the announcement reads.

French Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and Economic Attractiveness Nicolas Forissier attended the signing ceremony. The agreement proves that Albania is a priority for France, as well the willingness of the French government to mobilize all operators and financing instruments to help the country in EU integration, he stressed, as quoted by KESH.

The Albanian company’s planned pumped storage hydropower capacity in the Drin (Drim) cascade and Statkraft’s project in Moglica amount to 1.6 GW altogether.

The utility signed a deal last year with AFD on the Drin river cascade management and advanced energy storage planning.

EDF and AFD are also expanding cooperation and developing projects with other countries in the region, including neighboring Serbia.