April 23, 2026
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Albania’s 2026 Electricity Law: Powering a Competitive, Secure, and Green Energy Future

The new draft Law on the Electricity Sector (2026) aims to overhaul Albania’s power framework for a competitive, secure and green market. Its stated objectives include guaranteeing secure and sustainable supply, deepening market liberalisation and consumer choice, and supporting climate goals. Government spokespeople emphasize moving “away from a centralized model” toward “a more open, more competitive, more flexible” market aligned with EU norms. Similarly, the Energy Community stresses that Albania must shore up security of supply (through EU-aligned risk-preparedness planning) and fully integrate its electricity market regionally. As one official put it, Albania needs to “shore up security of supply through EU-aligned risk-preparedness plans and achieve full market coupling with the EU”. In line with climate targets (Albania’s 2050 neutrality goal), the law also promotes renewables, efficiency and low-carbon flexibility. For example, a separate 2023 Renewables Law explicitly targets increased renewable use, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and sustainable rural energy access. The 2026 electricity law complements this by facilitating renewables integration (e.g. grid access, storage) while also formalizing consumer-friendly concepts like smart meters and dynamic pricing for a low-carbon economy.

Institutional Framework and the Regulator

A key element is the Energy Regulatory Authority (ERE). Under the draft law, ERE remains the independent regulator for electricity (and gas) with strengthened powers. Official briefings note that the new law “expands and makes more important” ERE’s role, explicitly giving it major competencies “for developing market rules, monitoring their operation and ensuring competition”. In practice, ERE already issues tariffs, licenses, and technical codes; the law likely reaffirms its authority over grid tariffs, network access and licensing. EU rules (Electricity Directive 2019/944 Art.59) require national regulators to be fully independent and impartial, and the Energy Community has advised Albania to “strengthen the independence and capacities of all authorities” including ERE. The draft law reportedly aligns with this: it clearly vests regulatory tasks in ERE, separating them from political control. Nonetheless, implementation depends on ERE’s capacity to handle new duties (e.g. oversight of cross-border markets) and to enforce the complex EU-aligned regime. The law will also designate the energy ministry as the risk-preparedness authority (see below), but ERE is expected to coordinate in emergencies and in implementing EU network codes.

Market Design and Competition

The new law fundamentally repackages the market model. Under the current 2015 law, Albania began liberalising in 2021–2025, opening the market by threshold and establishing the ALPEX exchange. Today, large consumers can choose suppliers, and ALPEX operates a day-ahead and intraday auction. The draft law continues this trend: it formally mandates third-party access to networks and the full operation of wholesale markets (day-ahead, intraday, balancing, and even derivatives trading) to ensure transparent price formation. In April 2023 Albania launched its day-ahead market, which in January 2024 was successfully coupled with Kosovo’s market – the first electricity market coupling in the Energy Community. Regional intraday auctions (so-called CRIDAs) between Albania and Kosovo followed in late 2024. The new law codifies these developments and sets the stage for eventual coupling with EU markets, subject to completing EU-market rules. Indeed, Energy Community analysts note that full alignment with EU rules (the Electricity Integration Package) through this law is essential for Albania to join the EU’s single day-ahead and intraday coupling.

At the same time, the law removes many legacy distortions. The current public service obligations (PSOs) – such as requiring the state generator KESH to supply the universal service provider (FSHU) at a government-set price – will be phased out or restructured. Ministry statements emphasize moving away from a model where “state actors had the largest decision-making” and towards one where competition is the basis of the market. In practice, this means eliminating price-setting interventions: for example, Albania’s wholesale market until now has been burdened by non-market contracts for network losses and for supplying captive consumers, which “does not meet the requirements” of EU market rules. The new law should require all grid services (transmission and distribution losses) to be procured on organized markets under competitive principles. It also formally establishes the market operator (ALPEX) as a Nominated Electricity Market Operator (NEMO) under EU law and extends ALPEX’s remit to ancillary markets. Unbundling is enforced: Albania’s transmission operator (OST) is already ownership-unbundled and ENTSO-E member, and distribution (OSSH) is a separate DSO. Clear rules on independent operation of networks and transparent tariff-setting are included to meet EU requirements.

Renewable Energy Integration and Low-Carbon Transition

Although Albania’s generation is dominated by hydropower, renewable integration is a priority. The new law addresses intermittency and grid flexibility: it introduces concepts like energy storage, active prosumers, aggregation and energy communities. For instance, it explicitly provides a legal basis for energy storage systems (to smooth renewable output) and for “active customers” who both consume and generate power. These mirror EU Directive 2019/944 provisions (articles on prosumers, dynamic tariffs and communities) that Albania has not yet fully transposed. The law also encourages technologies such as smart meters and even electric vehicle charging (“electromobility”) as flexibility tools. A separate Law 24/2023 already incentivises renewable deployment (through auctions, PPAs and CfDs) with the goal of reducing fossil imports and emissions. The electricity law complements this by guaranteeing renewables’ grid access and balancing: for example, under the renewables law temporarily-stored solar power is treated as delivered for subsidy purposes, a useful flexibility clause. In short, the legal framework is shifting to support a low-carbon mix: renewables get priority access to networks, and the market must accommodate their variability via storage and demand-side response. Energy efficiency is implicitly supported through demand participation measures, though detailed efficiency obligations remain part of separate legislation.

Security of Supply and Reliability

Ensuring continuous supply is a core aim. The law reportedly designates the infrastructure minister as the authority for risk preparedness and obliges that ministry to adopt a national risk-preparedness plan. This reflects EU Regulation 2019/941 (on gas supply risks), which Albania had missed implementing by its 2023 deadline. The draft law includes initial steps toward compliance: it provides for a risk plan and emergency protocols. In practice, this means formalising procedures for crisis response, including strategic reserves and demand curtailment rules. The law likely retains provisions for last-resort supply and universal service to protect consumers in shortages: under the current system, for example, the state generator KESH sells power to the universal supplier FSHU and to cover network losses. These contracts (often via contract-for-difference at regulated prices) are to be reformed.

Cross-border integration also enhances security. By coupling with neighbours, Albania gains access to wider regional capacity during droughts. Energy Community officials emphasize that full market coupling with Kosovo and eventually the EU “creates larger, more resilient markets” protecting against shocks. Albania’s new law strengthens this by setting clear rules for allocating cross-border capacity and operating bidding zones. Additional stress on reliability is addressed through mandated reserve capacities and balancing mechanisms: the law provides for the TSO to procure reserves and conduct redispatch if needed.

Nonetheless, challenges remain. Albania’s heavy reliance on hydropower (with seasonal rainfall variability) requires backup sources or storage. The law does not itself build new plants, so its impact on resource adequacy depends on fostering investment. Moreover, while emergency oil-stock regulations remain outdated (outside electricity law’s scope), the focus here is on electricity reserves. Overall, the draft law marks progress toward EU-style security measures, but full implementation will require secondary rules and investments in new capacity (or demand response) to ensure true reliability.

Consumer Rights and Protection

The draft law places consumers at the centre of the market. It acknowledges that consumers can also be producers, and it explicitly incorporates EU ideas of active customers, dynamic pricing contracts and citizen energy communities. In practice, Albania has already liberalized retail supply for most customers: all households and businesses above low-voltage can choose supplier. The state supply company FSHU (formerly OSHEE retail) continues as the universal service provider for small (0.4 kV) customers, and has been designated the supplier of last resort for larger low-voltage customers. Under the new law, these protections persist but in more defined forms. For vulnerable groups, the framework is improving: Albania now defines “energy-poor” and “vulnerable” households, bans disconnection for them, and offers subsidies (for heating and electricity) to the poorest. The law is expected to enshrine such protections, in line with EU norms (Directive 2019/944 requires special safeguards for vulnerable consumers).

However, some consumer-rights provisions must still be fleshed out. The Energy Community notes that novel rights – such as aggregation services, transparent billing, and consumer-driven demand response – have not yet been fully enacted. Similarly, current pricing interventions (like keeping FSHU rates regulated) “do not comply with” EU criteria, implying the law will need transitional rules to liberalize prices over time. To ensure transparency, the law should mandate clear billing, easy switching procedures and robust complaint mechanisms (all EU requirements). In sum, the draft law advances consumer empowerment (even heralding a “democratization” of the sector through communities and active customers), but its effectiveness will hinge on accompanying regulations detailing consumer rights, metering standards, and social safeguards as per EU directives.

Harmonization with EU Energy Acquis

A principal motive is alignment with the EU’s Clean Energy Package. The draft law explicitly aims to fulfill Albania’s energy chapter (15) accession commitments. It transposes key elements of the Electricity Directive and Regulation (2019/944 and 2019/943) – together known as the Electricity Integration Package – which govern market design, unbundling, and cross-border trade. For example, secondary legislation under these acts is already underway: in 2025 ERE approved a capacity allocation regulation (adopting CACM Regulation 2015/1222) to manage congestion. The law also enshrines EU-style unbundling (Albania’s OST was certified under ownership unbundling in 2017) and prepares for implementing remaining EU network codes (intra-day auctions 2017/1719 and balancing code 2017/2195 are in process).

Multiple EU directives come into play. Besides the electricity-specific rules, the law must be consistent with the Renewable Energy Directive (now RED II, 2018/2001, as partially reflected in Law 24/2023) and the Energy Efficiency Directive (2018/2002). It must meet EU requirements on state aid neutrality and competition as well. The Energy Community’s recent report underscores that Albania “should complete transposition of the EIP and… strengthen the independence and capacities of all authorities”. In sum, the 2026 law appears designed to maximize convergence: officials claim it will “ensure a high degree of alignment” with EU law. Yet gaps remain (EU country reports note missing adoption of e.g. Regulation 2019/941 on security of supply). The new law closes many gaps, but full compliance will require follow-up secondary legislation (grid codes, consumer rules, capacity markets) to operationalize EU norms.

Implementation Challenges and Outlook

Achieving the law’s vision will be challenging. Legacy market distortions must be unraveled carefully: KESH’s dominance and the public-service contracts for losses and captive load are deeply entrenched, and removing them could face resistance or temporary supply risks. The Energy Community warned that Albania’s PSOs, originally “temporary measures” during crises, still “threaten to impede efficient competition”. Regulatory capacity is another concern: the new regime is complex, and ERE and the ministry must issue numerous secondary rules (e.g. network codes, imbalance settlement procedures, risk plans) quickly. Reports note that even now, some network code implementations (like 15-minute settlement) have been postponed by ERE.

Integration efforts require investment. Building transmission links (to Greece, Macedonia, Italy) and reinforcing grids for bidirectional flow will determine how well cross-border trade can alleviate domestic shortages. Financing remains an issue: regulators and government must coordinate to fund smart metering and storage projects (as envisaged in the law). Socially, the phase-out of price controls must be balanced with protection for the poor; gaps between this law and existing subsidy programs could cause confusion if not harmonized. Finally, political commitment will be tested: the law’s success depends on steady implementation amid changing governments.

In summary, the draft law sets a forward-looking framework: it promises a liberalized, EU-harmonized market with empowered consumers and high renewable integration. If fully enacted and backed by robust secondary measures, it should significantly advance Albania’s goals of a competitive, secure and sustainable electricity sector. However, the road from law to reality involves filling regulatory gaps and overcoming institutional inertia; without that follow-through, key objectives (market liquidity, EU coupling, consumer protections) may fall short. Overall, the 2026 Electricity Law represents a critical step toward a modern Albanian power market – one that, if implemented effectively, aligns closely with best practices in the EU

March 5, 2026
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KESCO announces the second phase: businesses enter the open electricity market.

KESCO in Kosovo has announced that, beginning 1 April 2026, the second phase of commercial consumers’ transition to the open electricity market will commence.

From that date, businesses currently supplied under the regulated market will move to the liberalized market and will be able to select their own licensed electricity supplier. The measure is intended to encourage greater competition and reflect market-based pricing.

Under the country’s Electricity Law and at the request of the regulator, businesses that employ more than 50 staff or report an annual turnover exceeding €10 million will no longer be eligible for regulated tariffs under the universal service framework. As a result, KESCO — in its role as Universal Service Supplier — will be unable to continue providing those businesses with regulated-rate supply after 1 April 2026.

According to the company, official records from the Tax Administration indicate that a number of businesses no longer meet the universal-service eligibility criteria. Affected businesses must select a licensed supplier in the open market by 1 April 2026 and initiate the supplier-switching procedure at least 21 working days before the new contract takes effect.

If a business fails to secure a contract within that timeframe, it will be supplied on a temporary basis by the Supplier of Last Resort for up to 60 days. Should no contract be concluded within that period, electricity supply may be disconnected in accordance with applicable legislation.

The company also clarified that self-consumers (prosumers) will no longer remain under the regulated-tariff scheme from the same date; the terms for energy produced and injected into the grid will be set out in the new supplier contract.

Finally, businesses are asked to confirm their employee numbers, annual turnover and active metering units with the company to ensure a smooth transition to the open market.

February 28, 2026
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Electrica and Liberty Galați to Jointly Develop Up to 500 MW of Solar and Storage

Electrica — in which the Romanian Government holds a 49.8% stake — has signed a memorandum of understanding with Liberty Galați to develop up to 500 MW of combined solar generation and energy storage on land owned by the currently inactive steel works. The agreement, disclosed in a stock-exchange filing, sets out an operating model intended to maximise self-consumption, strengthen supply reliability and optimise long-term costs, the company said.

The proposed structure seeks to capitalise on the strategic complementarities between the two firms: Electrica brings experience as an electricity supplier, distributor and renewable investor, while Liberty Galați contributes the site footprint and industrial scale. The memorandum follows Electrica’s recent emergency move to assume the plant’s electricity supply contract — a step taken two weeks earlier to prevent disconnection over unpaid bills.

Electrica noted that cutting power to a blast furnace would effectively shut the facility down permanently. The steel works is the country’s largest, but is currently inactive, insolvent and carrying substantial debt.

Next steps include feasibility studies for the sites, which are located on land beside the Danube in eastern Romania, near the border with Moldova and Ukraine. According to Electrica’s update, the two parties would develop solar and storage assets with combined capacity of up to 500 MW, with detailed terms to be defined after the feasibility work is completed.

Electrica’s chief executive, Alexandru-Aurelian Chiriță, said the partnership is intended to leverage both companies’ technological and financial capabilities as a catalyst for change in Romania’s energy sector. “Final partnership terms are to be defined following feasibility studies and will be implemented once all corporate approvals are secured,” he said, adding that the initiative aims to create “a model of excellence adapted to current sustainability requirements” and to set a new performance benchmark for the national energy industry.

Earlier, Liberty Galați — part of the Liberty Steel Group — outlined a EUR 1 billion plan to reach carbon neutrality by 2030. When Electrica announced it would take over the plant’s power contract, Chiriță emphasised the strategic importance of preserving the works: “Not now, when Europe is rearming. Not now, when the reconstruction of Ukraine will require millions of tons of steel from our border. Not now, when European steel production can be a real competitive advantage for the first time in decades.”

Electrica supplies electricity to about four million end customers across 18 counties in Northern Transylvania, Southern Transylvania and Northern Muntenia. The group recently reported record preliminary results: consolidated net profit jumped 159% in 2025 to RON 1.22 billion (EUR 239 million), while EBITDA rose to RON 2.38 billion — 64.5% higher than the previous year.

On the renewables and storage front, Electrica currently operates 46.5 MW within a 307.5 MW renewables portfolio. The company also plans 19 energy storage facilities totalling 1.17 GWh and three modular, interoperable data centres as part of its broader transition strategy.

February 9, 2026
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Romania Nears 3.35 GW in capacity prosumers as residential solar catches up with business installations

Romania had nearly 290,000 prosumers by the end of November, with a combined installed capacity of 3.35 GW, according to the national energy regulator. While prosumer projects have been the main driver of the country’s solar expansion for years, utility-scale developments moved to the forefront in 2025. At the same time, the prosumer segment is showing a notable shift: residential capacity has effectively converged with installations owned by legal entities, including small companies and institutions.

In its latest update, the Romanian Energy Regulatory Authority (ANRE) reported 287,985 prosumers at the end of November, together accounting for 3.35 GW of electricity production capacity. That represents a sharp year-on-year increase of 47.8% in the number of prosumers and 43.4% in installed capacity. The comparison with previous years highlights the scale of the boom: Romania counted just 303 prosumers at the end of 2019, and the country crossed the 3 GW prosumer threshold in August last year.

Households nearly match legal entities in installed capacity

ANRE’s data also point to a narrowing gap between households and non-household prosumers. The number of residential prosumers reached 257,748, compared with 30,237 legal entities. Installed capacity was almost evenly split between the two categories: households held 1.67 GW, while legal entities accounted for 1.68 GW.

Energy storage deployment also continued to accelerate. ANRE said 58,012 prosumers had integrated batteries alongside their rooftop solar systems. Households represented 55,962 of those installations, meaning more than one in five residential prosumers had storage.

Industry estimate: solar capacity exceeded 7 GW in 2025

Separately, the Romanian Photovoltaic Industry Association (RPIA) estimated that Romania’s total installed solar capacity surpassed 7 GW in 2025. The association assessed net additions at 2.2 GW over the year, up from 1.7 GW in the preceding 12-month period.

RPIA attributed the strongest momentum to utility-scale projects, estimating they contributed 1.2 GW of new capacity—almost double the level recorded in 2024—largely supported by renewable energy auctions conducted under contracts for difference (CfDs). Prosumers added an estimated 1 GW. RPIA further said residential systems reached 1.8 GW by the end of last year, broadly in line with commercial and industrial (C&I) installations.

Looking ahead, RPIA projects new solar capacity in 2026 at 2.5 GW. If delivered, that pace would bring Romania to its 10 GW target for 2030 well ahead of schedule.

In wider regional developments, Turkey is preparing to allocate 3.5 GW of capacity for self-consumption in 2026. Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said recently that priority would be given to local authorities, public institutions, and strategic, export-oriented sectors.

January 16, 2026
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Self-consumption photovoltaic systems in Greece must add remote control devices

Solar power facilities for self-consumption in Greece now require set point equipment.

The Hellenic Distribution Network Operator (HEDNO or DEDDIE) announced that owners of self-consumption installations of over 400 kW have eight months, until September 15, to make necessary upgrades. Set point equipment includes specialized telemetering devices that the network operator uses for remote control and curtailment of solar power production.

Such equipment was first added in 2024 in other categories of photovoltaics, to ensure that HEDNO can dial down production at times when renewable energy production exceeds demand in the country. The effort is aimed at ensuring system stability and avoiding blackouts such as the one that happened in Spain last April.

According to Energypress, so far 4,300 MW of renewables units connected to the distribution network have added set-point equipment, out of a total of 5,500 MW deemed necessary. The authorities are aiming for the majority of the capacity to be ready by spring to avoid overcapacity. It’s a season that traditionally brings high renewable energy production and low demand in Greece. In 2024 and 2025, very low wholesale prices and high curtailments became a regular occurrence in the springtime.

As for the transmission network, all required renewable electricity plants have made the necessary upgrades.

Producers must comply or be disconnected

HEDNO said the new requirement includes units both in the net metering and virtual net metering regimes, as well as the ones with and without storage.

Once proper upgrades have taken place, producers must submit a notification form to the distribution operator, along with necessary technical documents. Owners who do not comply in time, will be subject to disconnection from the grid, HEDNO said.

Its goal is to make horizontal curtailments from now on, only reducing production levels across photovoltaics, without having to shut down some of them entirely.

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January 16, 2026
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Self-consumption photovoltaic systems in Greece must add remote control devices

Solar power facilities for self-consumption in Grece now require set point equipment.

The Hellenic Distribution Network Operator (HEDNO or DEDDIE) announced that owners of self-consumption installations of over 400 kW have eight months, until September 15, to make necessary upgrades. Set point equipment includes specialized telemetering devices that the network operator uses for remote control and curtailment of solar power production.

Such equipment was first added in 2024 in other categories of photovoltaics, to ensure that HEDNO can dial down production at times when renewable energy production exceeds demand in the country. The effort is aimed at ensuring system stability and avoiding blackouts such as the one that happened in Spain last April.

According to Energypress, so far 4,300 MW of renewables units connected to the distribution network have added set-point equipment, out of a total of 5,500 MW deemed necessary. The authorities are aiming for the majority of the capacity to be ready by spring to avoid overcapacity. It’s a season that traditionally brings high renewable energy production and low demand in Greece. In 2024 and 2025, very low wholesale prices and high curtailments became a regular occurrence in the springtime.

As for the transmission network, all required renewable electricity plants have made the necessary upgrades.

Producers must comply or be disconnected

HEDNO said the new requirement includes units both in the net metering and virtual net metering regimes, as well as the ones with and without storage.

Once proper upgrades have taken place, producers must submit a notification form to the distribution operator, along with necessary technical documents. Owners who do not comply in time, will be subject to disconnection from the grid, HEDNO said.

Its goal is to make horizontal curtailments from now on, only reducing production levels across photovoltaics, without having to shut down some of them entirely.

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January 15, 2026
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Albania gives green light to CWP Europe for 600 MW wind park

Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Belinda Balluku promoted CWP Europe’s wind power project Tropoja of 600 MW. After receiving the ministry’s preliminary approval at the event, the company’s CEO Dimitar Enchev highlighted the importance of local electricity production for a modern economy, including AI and data centers, and for energy independence. Albania still doesn’t host a single operational wind turbine.

CWP Europe will hopefully connect its future wind park Tropoja to the grid within 12 months, excluding the period of harsh winter, according to Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama. Speaking at the project’s presentation, he said the investment is a step toward the country’s ambition of becoming self-reliant in energy production.

“For a long time, we had complete dependence on water and rainfall. At the same time, we inherited a system with so many weaknesses that, when rainfall was lacking, we had to go to international markets and purchase large quantities at inflated prices. Meanwhile, when rainfall came in abundance, we often saw much of this potential value, water, go to waste and not only fail to be converted into energy, but at times also cause extraordinary damage,” Rama stated.

Namely, hydropower plants accounted for almost 100% of domestic electricity production until recently. By the end of the decade, the combined share of wind and solar power will reach 30%, Rama underscored.

Preparing final stages of Tropoja wind power project

CWP Global’s Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer for Europe Dimitar Enchev received a preliminary approval from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy at the event. He highlighted the importance of local electricity production for a modern economy and energy independence, especially with the expansion of artificial intelligence and data centers.

“The last time I was here was about three months ago, when we decided and signed a joint cooperation agreement with the EU. And now, after three months, we receive the permission that allows us to engage in preparing the final stages of our project,” Enchev stated, as quoted by CNA.

CWP Europe has more than 7 GW under development in Southeast Europe

CWP Europe has 900 MW in wind power projects under development in Albania, part of a portfolio of more than 6 GW across Southeast Europe plus more than 1 GW in photovoltaics.

The Tropoja area is in the country’s far north. Albania still doesn’t host a single operational wind turbine.

Support from European Commission

CWP Europe signed a joint declaration in October with the European Commission, the Albanian Investment Development Agency and the Montenegrin Investment Agency, in support of the Tropoja project and the Montechevo solar farm with battery storage in Montenegro, respectively.

In September, the company’s subsidiary Eralb Invest submitted its wind power project to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy, for 603.9 MW. It is not subject to concession and doesn’t benefit from state support measures.

In 2023, the firm sent a proposal to the Strategic Investment Committee (SIC or KIS) in which the project was for a wind and solar park of 826 MW in total capacity. It is an interministerial panel chaired by Prime Minister Edi Rama.

The entire designated area in Tropoja municipality reportedly spanned 385 hectares, encompassing the territories of the villages Viçidol, Berisha, Luzha and Pac, and the investment was valued at EUR 1.2 billion.

In October 2023, CWP and GE Vernova’s Onshore Wind business agreed to develop a large-scale hybrid wind and solar project in Albania. They estimated the investment at more than EUR 1 billion.

Fântânele-Cogealac-Gradina, the biggest onshore wind park in Southeastern Europe and, until recently, in entire Europe, has 600 MW in capacity. It is located in Romania. CWP developed the project and sold it in 2008.

Balluku: Diversification is strategic necessity

Albania is moving to a modern, balanced energy model, where diversification of sources is no longer a solution, but a strategic necessity, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Belinda Balluku.

“The Tropoja wind farm is not just an energy investment. It is a symbol of the transformation that Albania is experiencing, a transformation towards a sustainable, stronger and more innovation-friendly economy. This project proves that the Albanian energy sector is entering a new phase, where private investment and foreign direct investment are becoming engines of growth, thanks to serious partnerships and long-term visions,” she stated.

Wind and solar power projects totaling 1.5 GW are under development in Albania

In recent years, Albania added over 700 MW of photovoltaic capacity, and another 400 MW for self-supply, Balluku revealed. Wind and solar power projects totaling 1.5 GW are under development, she added. Future pumped storage hydropower capacity in the Drin (Drim) cascade and Statkraft’s project in Moglica amount to 1.6 GW, Balluku stressed.

Since 2013, losses in the power distribution network have dropped to 16.9% from more than 45%, while total electricity capacity increased by 1.5 GW, the deputy prime minister added. She said outages have been reduced to an all-time low and that they usually only last a few minutes.

The Special Court Against Corruption and Organized Crime suspended Balluku in late November amid an investigation, but the Constitutional Court soon reinstated her.

Post Views:122
January 15, 2026
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Bulgaria proposes changes to electricity trading rules to include new market participants

The Energy and Water Regulatory Commission of has proposed its amendments to Bulgaria’s electricity trading rules.

The changes aim to align electricity trading rules with recent updates to the country’s Energy Act and a legal and operational framework for new categories of market participants, according to law firm CMS Bulgaria.

New categories include active customers (active buyers), citizen energy communities, self-consumers (prosumers) of electricity from renewable sources, and renewable energy communities.

The Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC) held a public consultation event today on its draft changes in electricity trading rules. Representatives of the three distribution system operators (DSOs), the Sofia Municipality and the Bulgarian Association for Electrical Engineering and Electronics (BASEL) participated in the discussion.

These changes are designed to encourage electricity production for self-consumption

These changes are designed to encourage electricity production for self-consumption, minimize distribution losses, and foster more predictable energy pricing, a CMS e-alert reads. Furthermore, the amendments would ensure the Bulgarian rules comply with EU law, specifically directives 2018/2001 and 2019/944 and Regulation 2019/943.

The proposed draft introduces several specific provisions to facilitate the participation of the said new entities, CMS stressed.

It explicitly defines how new participants can join the market and the types of contracts they are permitted to conclude.

The new rules allow for the grouping of different sites for joint electricity production or consumption. They also set technical mandates for commercial metering devices, including remote reading capabilities.

The new rules also define calculation of generated, shared and sold electricity

The authors outlined procedures for registering or deregistering participants and groups with network operators. The update would impose an obligation to maintain a public register of these participants.

The proposed rules define the calculation of generated, shared and sold electricity. The framework guarantees that data is exchanged between suppliers, network operators, and group members, ensuring it is reflected in monthly bills.

Stakeholders were invited to submit their proposals from January 8 until January 22, CMS underscored.

Post Views:88
January 14, 2026
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Bulgaria proposes changes to electricity trading rules to include new market participants

The Energy and Water Regulatory Commission of has proposed its amendments to Bulgaria’s electricity trading rules.

The changes aim to align electricity trading rules with recent updates to the country’s Energy Act and a legal and operational framework for new categories of market participants, according to law firm CMS Bulgaria.

New categories include active customers (active buyers), citizen energy communities, self-consumers (prosumers) of electricity from renewable sources, and renewable energy communities.

The Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC) held a public consultation event today on its draft changes in electricity trading rules. Representatives of the three distribution system operators (DSOs), the Sofia Municipality and the Bulgarian Association for Electrical Engineering and Electronics (BASEL) participated in the discussion.

These changes are designed to encourage electricity production for self-consumption

These changes are designed to encourage electricity production for self-consumption, minimize distribution losses, and foster more predictable energy pricing, a CMS e-alert reads. Furthermore, the amendments would ensure the Bulgarian rules comply with EU law, specifically directives 2018/2001 and 2019/944 and Regulation 2019/943.

The proposed draft introduces several specific provisions to facilitate the participation of the said new entities, CMS stressed.

It explicitly defines how new participants can join the market and the types of contracts they are permitted to conclude.

The new rules allow for the grouping of different sites for joint electricity production or consumption. They also set technical mandates for commercial metering devices, including remote reading capabilities.

The new rules also define calculation of generated, shared and sold electricity

The authors outlined procedures for registering or deregistering participants and groups with network operators. The update would impose an obligation to maintain a public register of these participants.

The proposed rules define the calculation of generated, shared and sold electricity. The framework guarantees that data is exchanged between suppliers, network operators, and group members, ensuring it is reflected in monthly bills.

Stakeholders were invited to submit their proposals from January 8 until January 22, CMS underscored.

Post Views:59
January 13, 2026
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Albania gives green light to CWP Europe for 600 MW wind park

Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Belinda Balluku promoted CWP Europe’s wind power project Tropoja of 600 MW. After receiving the ministry’s preliminary approval at the event, the company’s CEO Dimitar Enchev highlighted the importance of local electricity production for a modern economy, including AI and data centers, and for energy independence. Albania still doesn’t host a single operational wind turbine.

CWP Europe will hopefully connect its future wind park Tropoja to the grid within 12 months, excluding the period of harsh winter, according to Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama. Speaking at the project’s presentation, he said the investment is a step toward the country’s ambition of becoming self-reliant in energy production.

“For a long time, we had complete dependence on water and rainfall. At the same time, we inherited a system with so many weaknesses that, when rainfall was lacking, we had to go to international markets and purchase large quantities at inflated prices. Meanwhile, when rainfall came in abundance, we often saw much of this potential value, water, go to waste and not only fail to be converted into energy, but at times also cause extraordinary damage,” Rama stated.

Namely, hydropower plants accounted for almost 100% of domestic electricity production until recently. By the end of the decade, the combined share of wind and solar power will reach 30%, Rama underscored.

Preparing final stages of Tropoja wind power project

CWP Global’s Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer for Europe Dimitar Enchev received a preliminary approval from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy at the event. He highlighted the importance of local electricity production for a modern economy and energy independence, especially with the expansion of artificial intelligence and data centers.

“The last time I was here was about three months ago, when we decided and signed a joint cooperation agreement with the EU, and now, after three months, we receive the permission that allows us to engage in preparing the final stages of our project,” he stated, as quoted by CNA.

CWP Europe has more than 7 GW under development in Southeast Europe

CWP Europe has 900 MW in wind power projects under development in Albania, part of a portfolio of more than 6 GW across Southeast Europe plus more than 1 GW in photovoltaics.

The Tropoja area is in the country’s far north. Albania still doesn’t host a single operational wind turbine.

Support from European Commission

CWP Europe signed a joint declaration in October with the European Commission, the Albanian Investment Development Agency and the Montenegrin Investment Agency, in support of the Tropoja project and the Montechevo solar farm with battery storage in Montenegro, respectively.

In September, the company’s subsidiary Eralb Invest submitted its wind power project to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy, for 603.9 MW. It is not subject to concession and doesn’t benefit from state support measures.

In 2023, the firm sent a proposal to the Strategic Investment Committee (SIC or KIS) in which the project was for a wind and solar park of 826 MW in total capacity. It is an interministerial panel chaired by Prime Minister Edi Rama.

The entire designated area in Tropoja municipality reportedly spanned 385 hectares, encompassing the territories of the villages Viçidol, Berisha, Luzha and Pac, and the investment was valued at EUR 1.2 billion.

In October 2023, CWP and GE Vernova’s Onshore Wind business agreed to develop a large-scale hybrid wind and solar project in Albania. They estimated the investment at more than EUR 1 billion.

Fântânele-Cogealac-Gradina, the biggest onshore wind park in Southeastern Europe and, until recently, in entire Europe, has 600 MW in capacity. It is located in Romania. CWP developed the project and sold it in 2008.

Balluku: Diversification is strategic necessity

Albania is moving to a modern, balanced energy model, where diversification of sources is no longer a solution, but a strategic necessity, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Belinda Balluku.

“The Tropoja wind farm is not just an energy investment. It is a symbol of the transformation that Albania is experiencing, a transformation towards a sustainable, stronger and more innovation-friendly economy. This project proves that the Albanian energy sector is entering a new phase, where private investment and foreign direct investment are becoming engines of growth, thanks to serious partnerships and long-term visions,” she stated.

Wind and solar power projects totaling 1.5 GW are under development in Albania

In recent years, Albania added over 700 MW of photovoltaic capacity, and another 400 MW for self-supply, Balluku revealed. Wind and solar power projects totaling 1.5 GW are under development, she added. Future pumped storage hydropower capacity in the Drin (Drim) cascade and Statkraft’s project in Moglica amount to 1.6 GW, Balluku stressed.

Since 2013, losses in the power distribution network have dropped to 16.9% from more than 45%, while total electricity capacity increased by 1.5 GW, the deputy prime minister added. She said outages have been reduced to an all-time low and that they usually only last a few minutes.

The Special Court Against Corruption and Organized Crime suspended Balluku in late November amid an investigation, but the Constitutional Court soon reinstated her.

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