Albania will face energy supply risks

2023-10-18 09:22:00, Aktualitet CNA

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The Western Balkans, which includes Albania, may face the same risks they experienced earlier related to energy supply this winter. A report of the Energy Community estimates that the Balkan countries have had good progress in some aspects of the sector, but the challenges ahead are not few.

In a special subdivision entitled "Key challenges ahead" at least four points are listed that are valid for the Balkans, including Albania. Thus, the winter that we have before is analyzed first.

"Looking ahead to the winter of 2023/24, the Contracting Parties in the Western Balkans will face risks that threaten the security of their electricity supply. Stability will depend on factors such as electricity consumption, especially during cold periods, hydrological conditions (possible imbalance in countries such as Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia if the hydrology is dry) , and the availability of existing thermal capacities to ensure high availability and reduce risk," the report states.

Meanwhile, the second challenge is that of diversification, where almost all countries have committed to investments in potential capacities that are being installed, but it is estimated that it will take 2-3 years to achieve a new diversification panorama.

"Energy Community Contracting Parties continue to demonstrate reduced vulnerability and resilience to extreme scenarios, highlighting the urgency of accelerating the energy transition and decarbonisation by integrating more renewable energy.

High investor interest, reaching around 20 GW in Serbia, around 7 GW in Bosnia and Herzegovina, over 4 GW in North Macedonia and gigawatt-scale investments in Albania and Montenegro, suggest the possibility of rapid capacity development ( 2-3 years).

However, obstacles related to permit procedures, grid connection and balancing of the energy system due to limited flexibility resources must be urgently addressed," says point 2.

In the third point to address these challenges, the Secretariat recommends accelerating the integration of renewable sources, creating electricity liquidity markets (especially intraday and balancing markets), increasing cross-border exchanges and aligning retail electricity prices with wholesale tariffs providing the necessary support to vulnerable consumers, especially women, children and minorities, who are most vulnerable to energy poverty.

"Energy efficiency measures are also recommended for medium-term risk reduction, with the support of the Secretariat. Full opening of the electricity market, coupling, participation in emissions trading systems (ETS) to facilitate coal phase-out, integration of renewables and regional cooperation remain key actions for sustainable energy systems and risk mitigation.” underlines the Secretariat.

The last risk is the one related to gas, which, like last year, is also seen as a problem this winter, at least for countries that have a wide use, of which Albania is not a part./ Monitor.al