European Commission: Albania should urgently diversify away from hydropower, properly conduct environmental assessments
Albania is moderately prepared in the area of energy, according to the European Commission’s latest report on the country’s alignment with the EU acquis. Albania’s national energy strategy 2018-2030 has been adopted, the Chapter 15 section of the report notes. However, the country has delayed electricity market reforms and should accelerate implementation of the connectivity […]
Albanian government adopts decision to set up power exchange
The Government of Albania has adopted a decision to establish a power exchange, with day-ahead and intraday markets, according to the Albanian energy minister, Belinda Balluku. The power exchange will be established in accordance with EU directives and as a step in energy sector reforms, Balluku said in a press release, adding that the power […]
Albanian, Montenegrin MPs gather in Tirana to discuss sustainable urban mobility planning
The Albanian capital Tirana, a city of half a million, on April 23 hosted a workshop on sustainable urban mobility, which has a pivotal role in fighting climate change. The workshop brought together MPs and parliamentary staff from Albania and Montenegro, building on the previous regional exchange events supported by the GIZ Open Regional Fund […]
Albania to terminate 17 concession contracts for hydropower projects
Albania’s Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy has found 9 more cases of contract violations during its review of concession agreements for hydropower plants (HPPs). This amounts to 17 concession deals the ministry has started severing, the ministry said on its website. The ministry did not reveal the names of investors in question, the location of […]
Albanian Development Fund launches EU-funded project to secure water supply for 83 villages
The Albanian Development Fund (ADF) has started the implementation of the EUR 39.3 million Rural Water Supply Program (RWSP) III in a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of Rrajca water supply scheme. The program aims to solve the problem of water supply for 85,000 rural residents in 15 municipalities in the country, the ADF said […]
Ocean Sun to supply Statkraft with floating solar plant for Albania
Statkraft Albania has signed a contract with Norwegian floating solar technology developer Ocean Sun AS for the delivery of a floating solar plant with a maximum capacity of 2 MW at the Banja reservoir in Albania, Statkraft said in a press release. The solar park will consist of 4 floating units of 0.5 MW each, […]
Energy Community receives complaint against Albania over Kalivac, Pocem hydropower plants
EcoAlbania, Riverwatch and EuroNatur have sent a complaint to the Energy Community (EnC) against the Albanian Government over procedures for the Kalivac and Pocem hydropower projects. The three civil society organizations behind the campaign for the protection of the Vjosa River have raised concerns that the procedures for the two hydropower plants (HPPs) are not […]
Albania freezes new hydropower projects on environmental concerns
Albanian Energy and Infrastructure Minister Belinda Balluku has said she will freeze work on new hydropower plants (HPPs) and launch an investigation into 182 licenses issued to build 440 HPPs. The announcement follows a meeting with residents of Gramsh, who are protesting against the construction of two HPPs on the Devoll river. The plants are […]
