Albania was one of only two countries in the world (along with Paraguay) whose entire electricity production was dependent on hydroelectric power.[1]
In 2021 electricity consumed was 6,51 billion kWh with 5.31 billion kWh produced, the rest imported.[2]
In December 2023 work began on a new 400kV interconnecter between Albania and North Macedonia to improve the integration of Albania into the regional power system.[3]
Energy sources
Hydroelectric
It is host to five Hydroelectric power stations and a plant including the Fierza, Koman, Skavica and Vau i Dejës which are situated on the Drin river, due to its significant role for the production of electricity in the country. The Albanian Devoll Hydropower company is building two hydroelectricity plants on the Devoll river near Banjë and Moglicë.[4] The two plants are expected to be completed in 2016 and 2018. After its completion, it will produce 729 GWh annually, increasing electricity production in Albania by almost 17%.[5]
Hydroelectric power generated in 2020 amounted to 5.27 billion kWh.[2]
Solar
Agreements in 2017 led to the financing of solar power plants which by 2020 were producing 32m kWh of electricity.[6]
In December 2023 a 140-MW solar park, covering 200 hectares of land at Karavasta, operated by Voltalia SA, began operations.[7]
Wind
The development of wind power was also planned in 2017 with 150 MW expected in 2020.[6] An auction in 2023 awarded 222.48 MW of onshore wind.[8]
Nuclear
Albania presently has no nuclear power plants. In 2007 the government discussed constructing a nuclear power plant at Durrës. In addition to meeting the domestic energy demands, the plan foresaw electricity export to neighbouring Balkan countries and Italy via an underwater cable, which would link the Italian and Albanian electricity networks.[9][10] In April 2009, Albania and Croatia announced a plan to jointly construct a 1,500 MWe nuclear power plant on the shores of Lake Skadar (Lake Shkodër), near Albania's border with Montenegro.[11] As of 2016, Albania has no plans to build any nuclear power plants in the foreseeable future.[12]
