Blog – Full Width | AEA-Albania Energy Association

June 1, 2011

by AEA

Word of the chairman

All of today’s energy sources that are used globally will continue to be needed in the foreseeable future. Energy, especially in the form of electricity is the basis for the modern society development and contributes to the improvement of quality of life.

Global energy consumption continues to increase, while at the same time there is greater emphasis on finding renewable, carbon neutral solutions for power generation with an emphasis for sustainable development through safeguarding the environment.

Today there is great focus on the next transition, on the expectation or the possibility of a substantial change in the energy mix. What would be the nature of the changing mix? What would drive it? How fast could it come? Or how long might it take? The answers to these questions will have a profound impact on the global energy system, on producers and consumers. Private Business Community is part of the answers and has to be involved at a high level in order to join effort with Governments to implement that energy mix as quick as possible.

The Government of Albania targets other 500 Million of Euros investments in energy sector by 2020 mostly in transmission and smart metering. So far, Albania strategy is to increase production capacity of renewable investment by 37% by 2020 with the startup of new three hydro power plants in Devoll River, and also another strategic investment with gas line TAP (Trans Adriatic Pipeline). We are proud to name our country 100% renewable energy producer.

As an Energy Association, AEA wishes to become “the platform” coordinating and advocating for the business community investing in energy, “the platform” creating partnerships with partners and especially with the Government for a successful Public Private Partnership in energy sector. AEA wishes to position its members as the best local partners for international investors interested to develop energy project in Albania. The success of AEA will come from a hand-in-hand work with the Government of Albania, Development partners, financial institutions, and all stakeholders involved in energy sector.

We thank the Government of Albania for its support to energy sector development through the Ministry of Energy and Industry, Albania Energy Corporation (KESH), Albania Energy Distribution Operator (OSHEE), Energy Regulation Entity (ERE) and many others.

We highly appreciate the partnership with International Energy Organizations, and Private Business Associations, their support to make “AEA” moving faster towards attaining its agenda.

We also thank all financial institutions/banks who are willing to work closely with us and financially support energy projects.

Finally, a special “Thanks” to all the companies members of “AEA”, thanks for your commitment and contribution to develop energy sector, creating jobs, respecting environment and in the end making profitable businesses.

Erlet Shaqe, Chairman of the AEA – Albania Energy Association (01-June-2016)

Profile and Competences

Mr.Erlet Shaqe has an Engineering Degree in Energy and Renewable Energy

Working for years and offering to Albania energy sector different solution for high work performance and best energy efficiency. Applying different academic methods to help Albania academic sector in engineering and publishing researches in engineering.

Promoting types of projects:
a) Applied research and development projects
b) Energy policy analysis
c) Development of energy information systems and models
d) Sustainable investments studies, Technical and economic studies
e) Investments management
f) Promote energy efficiency in buildings
g) Promotion of Albania renewable energy in EU and Balkan

- Ensure effective organization planning. As steward of the organization, we must actively participate with the staff in an overall planning process, and assist in implementing the plan’s goals. We should help management to develop business plans, policy objectives, business strategies, and priorities.
- Ensure adequate resources to provide adequate resources for the organization to fulfill its mission, to work in partnership with the development staff to raise funds from the community.
- Manage resources effectively in order to remain accountable to its donors and the public, and to safeguard its tax-exempt status, must assist in developing the annual budget and ensuring that proper financial controls are in place.
- Determine, monitor, and strengthen the organization’s programs and services to determine which programs are the most consistent with an organization’s mission, and to monitor their effectiveness.
- Enhance the organization’s public standing, articulating the organization’s mission, accomplishments, and goals to the public, as well as garnering support from members of the community.
- Ensure legal and ethical integrity and maintain accountability, ultimately responsible for ensuring adherence to legal standards and ethical norms
- Recruit new board members and orient them to their responsibilities, and the organization’s history, needs, and challenges. By evaluating its performance, can recognize its achievements and determine which areas need to be improved.

Direct Contacts: aea@info.aea-al.org , Mob +355672043806 , Office +35544514700

May 30, 2011

by AEA

ALBANIA ENERGY FROM BIOMASS

Albania has a popularity density relatively low compared with other Mediterranean Countries. The totalarea of 28.7 thousand km2, less than 2 thousand km2 is occupied from lakes and rivers while theagricultural activities occupy around 7 thousand km2. The cities and other urban infrastructureincluding ports, streets and railways occupy less than 1.5 thousand km2. In the upper alpine height over1500 m are placed more than 90% of 18.7 thousand km2, while the least 11.0 thousand km2 are placedin the height less than 1000 m. The production of the agricultural products in our country are relativelylow in comparison with other European countries, which means that the potential possibility of the useagricultural remnant is limited for the possibility to justify their economic use.The biomass potential in our country can be grouped in 4 main categories:

• Woods and woods remnant from different processes in wood industry;

• Plants remnants (stem, seed) after their productive cycle end, which is not going to be use in other economy branches;

• Energy plants (woods) which growth as fuel wood.

• Animal’s remnants (fertilizer, bones, skin) not to be use in other economy branches;

The data for forestry is based on inventory of Forestry General Directory in the EnvironmentalMinistry within10 years. Total reserve forecast is around 125 million m3 (14.3 Mtoe). The maincategories of forestry are: high forestry which is about 47-50% of total resources, coppice, about 29-30% of total resources and bush which are at 24-25% of total resources. Based on three above categories, 10% of high forestry, 50 % of coppice and 100% of bush are used for fuel wood (energeticfuel). Concerning to providing data, fuel wood sources are respectively 5.87, 18.25 and 30 (million m3mainland).In Albania permanent forestry resources is organized in 376 management units, for each of them is known the surface, volume, annual grow up and annual legal cuts, despite from the not wellperformance of inventory and statistics data in Albania.

So about 2/3 of volume in Albania localize with large-leaf forests , meantime conifer and bush makeeach 1/6 of the total forestall volume in the country.

Values for forestall volume can classifying along according to:I levels (0-50 m3/hectare, 50-100 m3/hectare, >100m3/hectare) andII regions, as shown in following The scheme suggests that the better part of Albanian regions dominate an average level of forestallvolume. We can not identify an especial horizon, even if dominate, within a certain region.

Energy evaluating of biomass that comes from wood is estimate seeing the possibility of their conversion in fuel wood, wood-wool and match-wood, crashed chaffs and canebrake and crashedbriquette of wood-wool considering forest maintenance. Table 1 gives possible energy potential offorestry and their remnants.

In last decade industrialize countries; have developed the energy production from remnants (industrial,agricultural, urbane). Recalculation of metallic, papers, glasses and plastic products are duplicated inthe world during last two decades. Owing to development of technologies of remnant’s treatment utilize as energy source, induce increase of their utilization in every year. All that developments arestimulate not only for positive effects in environment but also and for energy profits.It is important to point out that, our country with relatively limited sources of fossil fuels and with anagricultural economy, has good possibilities to develop in the next future energy related from biomass.In this context, it will be necessary to stimulate research and development projects, a legal framework to better utilization of biomass for energy issue.

May 18, 2011

by AEA

ALBANIA HYDROENERGETIC POTENTIAL

Albania is located in south-western part ofBalkans peninsula, Southeast Europe.The country is linked with the rest of theworld via land, sea and air routes.

Characterized by a distinct mountainous landscape,the average altitude of Albania is 700 meters above the sea. Based on the structure, composition andshape of the landscape, four physical-geographic zones are distinguished: Alps, Central MountainousRegion, Southern Mountainous Region and WesternLowland. The highest peaks are those in the Alpsand the Eastern Mountains (Korabi 2751 m) andthe lowest peaks are located in the western coastarea.The landscape is intersected by the valleys ofVjosa, Devoll, Osum, Shkumbin, Erzen, Mat andDrin rivers, eastward and westward, which enablethe connection of Adriatic Sea with the internal partof the country and the BalkansAlbania lies in the Mediterranean climatic zone,characterized by a hot dry summer, strong sunshineand generally mild winter with abundant rainfalls.Annual average rainfall is 1430 mm.Situated along the Adriatic and Ionian sea coast,Albania constitute one of the key points ofintersection for the roads crossing the WesternMediterranean into the Balkans and Little Asia.Albania ensures via sea route the connection withother world countries and that of the central regionsof the Balkans Peninsula with the Adriatic coast. TheAdriatic Sea and Otranto Strait stand in-between Albania and Italy.

Albania is a Parliamentary Republic .The two main ports are located in Durres and Vlora. Mother Theresa Civil Airport is based in Rinas, 25km from the capital city.

The Capital City of Albania is Tirana since 1920, withan estimate population of 1,000,000 inhabitants.Tirana is also the major administrative commercialcentre of the country.

Official language is Albanian.

Borders: The border via land is 720 km long, 287 kmout of which are shared with Serbia, Montenegroand the Republic of Kosovo in north and northwest of the country, 151 km east with the Republic ofMacedonia and 282 km south and southeast with Greece. The coastline of the country is 362 km long.

Population: about 3,5 million inhabitants (source:INSTAT). Albania is estimated to be a country with arelatively young population.

Albanian hydrographical territory is 44.000 km2 or 57% larger than its geographical territory.The country has eight main rivers: Drini, Buna, Vjosa, Semani, Mati, Shkumbini, Ishmiand Erzeni. The average altitude of the hydrographical territory is about 700 m above thesea level. The total average flow of the rivers is about 1245 m3/sec.Due to the morphological features, Albania is quite rich in rivers, with more than 152 riversand torrents forming eight big rivers. They have a southeast-northwest flow, mainly orientedtowards the Adriatic coastThe most important rivers are Drini with 340 m3/sec, Vjosa with 210 m3/sec, Seman with101 m3/sec, Mat with 74 m3/sec, Shkumbin with 60 m3/sec, etcAlthough with small flows, their considerable cascade makes these rivers substantiallyimportant for the hydropower potential offered to the country.Consequently, Albania is seen as a country rich in water reserves and a hydropower potentialthat bears an important developmental role.

Table 1. The main hydrologic characteristics of big rivers

Hydropower Potential

Albania has big hydroenergetic potential and only 33% out of it is used so far. The country has a total installed capacity of 1461 MW and marks an average hydropower production of5267 GWh. Albanian Hydroenergetic potential is approximately 600.000 KWh per sq2 andthe electric power production could reach up to 17 TWh.

Big Hydropower Plants

Three rivers are actually exploited in Albania ina cascade form. The hydropower plants builton each cascade operate with the followingparameters:

• Drin river cascade, with a total installed capacity of 1350 MW, which constitutes92% of the country’s power generation with three hydro-power plants;

• Mat river cascade, with two hydro-powerplants operating on a total installedcapacity of 49 MW,

• Bistrica river cascade, with a total installed capacity of 27,5 MW.

Table 2. Big scale Hydro Power Plants constructed in Albania.

Free areas for investments

The hydrographic territory of Albania is divided in catchment basins as by the main rivers .Actually, after the reconstruction of hydroenergetic objects given in concession results thatfree areas for possible investments in hydroeneregtic field remain Osumi catchment Basin,Vjosa and a branch of Drini river.These rivers are located in a vast territory of Albania and have a big hydroeneregticpotential. In these areas, with a high hydro-energetic potential, exist free zones for smallHPPs construction.

Energy Development in Albania

Due to a long five-century ottomanoccupation and other historical conditions,the declaration of independence, onNovember 28, 1912, Albania was abackward agrarian country, lacking anyindustry whatsoever. Even during KingZog period, Albania followed its track asan agrarian country, without any signs ofenergy development. During 1945-1951 thepower production amounted to an averageof 10 KWh per resident.The hydropower sector began to developafter 1952, when Selita hydro-power plantstarted operation, with an installed capacityof 5000 KW. In 1958, Ulza hydropower plantstarted functioning with installed capacityof 25.000 KW.Following the construction of other threehydropower plants of Shkopet, Bistrica Iand Bistrica II, as well as of Fier thermalpowerplant, in 1970, power productionreached 500 KWh per resident.In 1971, 1978 and 1985, three of thebiggest hydropower plants of the country,Vau i Dejës HPP ( with installed powerof 250 MW), Fierza HPP (with installedpower of 500 MW) and Koman HPP withinstalled power of 600 MW). Other 90 smallhydropower plants were constructed duringthis period.No further developments of the sector havebeen marked from 1985 to 2007.Most of SHPPs were neglected and about20 of them were completly destroyed.Considering the current power-supplysituation, as well as the potential demandfor power, the Government has set thedevelopment of the energy sector amongits priorities, focusing on the developmentof renewable energy resources and, inparticular, the hydro-power ones.

Small Hydropower Plants

Albania counts 70 small existing hydropowerplants with a ranging capacity from20 KW to 9200 KW. Only 38 out of this totalare currently operational, whereas the restis out of function.The most part of machineries and HPP’sequipments are Austrian, German, Chinese,Hungarian and talian productions. Someparts of them are produced in Albania. Theturbines are of Frencis, Pelton and Banky types. The generator type is Sincron witha low voltage. The average age of theseHPPs is approximately 25 years.Out of the total of small hydropowerplants:

• 32 of them operate on concessionarycontracts, with an installed capacity of 24,4 MW

• 16 of them have been privatized andoperate with an installed capacityof 2,047 MW

• 22 of them are owned by the State withan installed capacity of 11,0 MWThe purpose of the construction of such small hydropower plantswas the energy supply of the remotemountain areas.

They were supposed to be derivationalhydropower plants and make use of thewater flows closed to these areas.

Actually, 7 big hydropower plants and 38 small ones arecurrently in operation.

In Drin River are three operational hydropowerplants with a total installed capacity of1350 MW, “Vau i Dejës” HPP, “Fierza” HPP and“Koman” HPP. A concessionary contract hasbeen concluded for “Ashta” hydropower planton Drin river between the Ministry of Economy,Trade and Energy and Austrian Company“Österreichische Elektrizitätsëirtschafts-Aktiengesellschaft”, with an installed capacityof 48,2 MW and it currently is in the constructionphase.In Mat River are two operational hydropowerplants, “Ulëza” HPP and “Shkopet” HPP, withan installed capacity of 49 MW.In Devoll River “Banja” hydropower plantbegan to be constructed before 1990, with adesignated capacity of 60 MW.

However, only40% of the works have been completed andthe process was suspended. Actually, is signedthe concessionary contract for the constructionof the HPP’s cascade on Devolli river, between METE and the Austrian Company EVN AG,where are planned to be constructed 3 (three)Hydropwer Plants “Lozhan”, “Grabove”,“Skenderbegas-Çekin” and Banja HPPs, with atotal installed capacity of 319 MW.In Vjosa River, is in construction phase “Kalivaç”hydropower plant, with an installed capacity of90 MW.In Bistrica River are two operational hydropowerplants, “Bistrica I” and “Bistrica II”, with aninstalled capacity of 27,5 MW.

The Government of Albania has stronglysupported the development incentives of theprivate sector for construction and especiallyfor small hydropower plants constructionthrough the improvement of legal framework,simplifying the administrative procedure forinvestors guaranteeing a transparent andnon-discriminated process for the interested subjects.The old legal framework, for concessionsand private investments in public services,had not clear rules about the way of giving a concession, the procedures for the identification of proposals and offers evaluation, about the competition procedures enabling the executionof the Law for the unsolicited proposals from “special case”, to the only way of having concessionary contract.As a conclusion, the composition of the new legal framework was a necessity to ensure serious investments in public sector, the lost transparency in the process of the privatepartners’ elections, efficiency increase in public investments, public-private partnership enforcement and the creation of guaranteed basement for the successful implementation of concessionary contracts.The new concessionary legal frameworkhelped local and private investors to undertake investments in hydro energetic sector.

Law no.9663, dated 18.12.2006 “On Concessions”, amended, Council of Minister Decisionno.27 dated 19.01.2007 amendedThe purpose of this law is to create a favorable framework for promoting and facilitating theimplementation of concessionaire projects, enhancing transparency, fairness, efficiency,long-term sustainability in development of infrastructure and public service projects.This law is implemented for granting of concessions by contractual authorities for theeconomic activities in the sectors as: transport, generation and distribution of energy,telecommunication, and tourism.

Identification of Potential Concessions

1. The identification of potential concessions shall be done by competent ministries,and local government authorities in cooperation with the Concessions TreatmentAgency.

2. Potential concessions may be identified by solicited proposals or unsolicitedproposals by a proponent.

3. In case of solicited proposals, the competent authorities shall carry out an analysiswhere the potential concession should be implemented. This analysis shall bebased upon the principles of value for money, alignment of potential Concessionswith the national strategic objectives, as well as with sector strategic objectives,the technical and commercial feasibility of the potential Concession and itsability to attract potential Concessionaires and private financing.

4. In case of unsolicited procedures the proponent shall carry the analysis byevaluating the elements for each case

5. When the competent authorities consider that a concession should beimplemented they approve the commencement of selection procedures.

6. The Council of Ministers shall decide the competent authority for each concession.

Preselection Procedure

1. The contractual authority shall prepare the invitation for participation in nonprocedural and the pre-selection documents. The invitationto participate in the pre-qualification procedure shall be published in thePublic Announcements Bulletin, as well as in the international and local press.

2. The contracting authority performs the qualification of each bidder that hassubmitted an application for pre-qualification, in accordance with the criteria setforth in the prequalification documents.

3. The contracting authority shall publish the list of overqualified bidders in the PublicAnnouncements Bulletin within 30 days from taking the decision.

The contracting authority requests specific information that includes:

TYPE 1 FORM FOR UNSOLICITED PROJECT-PROPOSALSI. TECHNICAL DOCUMENTS

1. The project must contain:

• Feasibility study on technical solution for an optimal exploitation of water potential

• A detailed analysis of costs evaluation

• Business Plan

• The graphic of project execution

• Election of machineries and equipments that will be used

• A study on the way of linking with the system

• Graphic material

2. Hydrologic study

3. Geologic study

4. Business Plan

5. Report on Environment impact

6. Information from the Water Basin Council of the area where the concession will beexecuted, about the priority and the water amount that can be used for electric energyproduction

7. Respective licenses of the specialists that have completed the studies (notarized)

II. LEGAL DOCUMENTS

1. Authorization from the official representative that will follow the procedure up to theconcessionary contracts undersigned2. Court Decision for the company registration as a legal person.

Initiation of a Selection Procedure shall be done as follows:

1. The contracting authority shall, within 6 months of receipt of the documentationdecide to accept or reject the potential concession project derived from theunsolicited proposal.

2. If the unsolicited proposal is accepted by the contracting authority, the contractingauthority shall initiate a competitive selection procedure

3. The proponent shall be invited to participate in the competitive selection procedureand upon decision of the Council of Ministers; it shall be awarded a bonus onits technical and/or financial score during the competitive selection procedureup to a maximum of 10% of the points.

Administrative Review Procedures

1. The Concession Treatment Agency is the competent authority that supervises theConcessionaire procedures, and conducts administrative review of the complaints.

2. For each complaint should be paid a fee in the amount of 10% of the bid securityin advance.

3. Concession Treatment Agency concludes the administrative review within 30calendar days from the submission of the complaint and notifies the contractingauthority and the petitioner about the decision.

1) The petitioner is entitled to take an appeal against the decision of the Agencywithin 30 days since the notification at the Court of Tirana (Administrative Section).

May 17, 2011

by AEA

MINERAL RESOURCES AND MINING ACTIVITY IN ALBANIA

A General Overview in Mining Industry

Albania is a country with rich mineral resources. Mineral exploration, exploitation and processing constitutes a key component of the Albanian economy, due to a traditional mining industry that has been a solid foundation to the country economic sector generating substantial revenues. The minerals mined and treated in the past which still remain in Albania include chrome, copper, iron-nickel and coal.

Mining industry development in Albania has passed through three main stages:

The first stage includes the period before the World War II. It has been marked by two important events of the mining industry. In 1922 was compiled the first Geological Map of Albania, the first of its kind in the Balkans, whereas 1929 signs the approve of the Mining Law of the Albanian Kingdom, which paved the way to the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources.

The second stage (1944-1994) marks the period when the mining activity has been organized in state-owned enterprises.

The third stage includes the period from 1994 up to date. It is the most important period of the mining industry, during which it is enabled the transition from an economically centralized type of operation into one based on the free market.

With the assistance of the World Bank, in 1994 it was composed and approved the Mining Law of Albania.

Licensing

The licensing process initiated in 1994, upon approval of the Albanian Mining Law.

Up to December 2^nd 2008, were issued 738 mining permits out of which were 590 exploitation permits.

Out of a total of 738 mining permits, 220 permits have been issued for chrome, 30 permits for ironnickel and nickel-silicate, 259 permits for limestone, 15 permits for marble limestone, 17 permits for copper, 5 permits for coal, 2 permits for bauxite, 5 permits for quartz, 11 permits for gypsum alabaster, 35 permits for clay, 38 permits for limestone tiles, 26 permits for sandstone and 2 permits for plagiogranite.

The rest of exploitation licenses include rock types, like as fractured limestones, quartz sands, sandstones, schistes, bituminous sands and gravels, basalts, ultra basic rocks, etc.

Distribution of mining permits per district, type of mineral ore and annum, is illustrated by the map and charts 1, 2, below.

Chart 1. Number of the mining permits according to the kind of the mineral

Chart 2. Mining permits according to the years

Concessions

In 1995 was approved the Law “On Concessions”. With its approval determined parts of the Mining Industry i, chrome, copper, iron-nickel and bitumen were given on concession.

The concession was applied for the determined parts of the mining industry that required overall investments in prospecting, exploration, exploitation or restructuration of the processing industry.

Mining Potential of Albania

Through studies and geologic exploration carried out in the course of the last 50 years have been concretised a lot of important mineral resources

The average content of these minerals, according to their deposits are given below on table 1.

Chrome-Chrome’s deposits Albania

Albania is known as a country with a high chrome potential, as compared to the other Mediterranean countries. The main deposits of this mineral are situated in the Ophiolites of the Eastern Belt area, along the direction Tropoja-Kukës-Bulqiza-Shebenik.

Least development is identified in the deposits of this mineral in the western belt of ophiolites.

From the geographic perspective, there are three main regions where chrome is located:

North-eastern Region (Tropoja and Kukës Ultrabisc Massifs)
Central Region (Bulqiza Ultrabasic Massif).
Southeastern Region (Shebenik-Pogradec Ultrabasic Massif)

The Ultrabasic Massif of Bulqiza is the massif with the biggest chrome potential. In this massif is explored and is being exploited the chrome mine “Northern Bulqiza”.

The perspective areas for exploration-exploitation of chrome ore can probably be: the region of Shebenik- Pogradec, deepness of Northern Bulqiza deposit, Qafe-Buall deposit, Bater-Lugu i Gjate-Fushe Lope area, Liqeni i Sopeve-Theker-Ternove and Thekna in deepness area, the area in the region of Kalimashi and deepness of Valna deposit and also the area around Zogaj deposits.

Albania Copper

Based on the geologic conditions, their morphology, genetic and mineralogical components, are distinguished four main types of copper deposits:

Hydrothermal-metasomatic and volcanogenic-sedimentary deposits, such as Munella, Qafë-Bari, Gurth, Rruga e Rinisë, etc.
Volcanogenic-hydrothermal-metasomatic vain deposits, such as Tuç, Spaç, Derven, Paluce, etc.
Volcanogenic-sedimentary deposits, such as Munella, Gjegjan, Palaj, Karma, Rubik.
Massif sulphide metasomatic deposits, such as Kurbnesh, Golaj, Thirra, Nikoliq, etc.

There are considerable sulphur deposits in the Western and Eastern Belt of Ophiolites.

Perspective areas for exploration and exploitation of copper reserves wealth can be alongside and in the deepness of Munella, Gurth, Perlat, Karmë and Rehova deposits.

Albania – Iron-Nickel and Nickel-Silicate

Iron-nickel and nickel-silicate are mainly located in Devoll (Bilisht, Bitincka, etc), Pogradec (Guri Kuq, Çervenaka, etc), Librazhd (Prrenjas, Skroskë, Xixillas, Bushtrice), Kukes (Mamez, Trull Surroj, Nome).

The deposits are composed by the following mineral ores:

Nickel-silicate ore of the remaining crust or primary crust,
Iron-nickel ores,
Re-deposited or secondary crust nickel-silicate ores.

Perspective areas for exploration and exploitation of iron-nickel and nickel-silicate ore can be: Bilisht- Kapshtice, Skroske-Bushtrice, deepness of Prrenjas deposit, Trull Surroj-Mamez and Kukes-Has region.

The average content of nickel – silicate and iron-nickel according to their regions are given below on table.

Albania Coal

Albania has considerable coal reserves, which are mainly located in three coal reserves areas:

– Tirana region, about 86% of reserves

– Korçe- Pogradec region, 10% of reserves

– Memaliaj region, 4% of reserves

Albanian coal reserves are of the lignite type, with a calorific analytic power in the limits between 2000-5600 kcal/kg .

Peats (turfs)

Peats constitute another energetic resource and are located in the South-eastern part of Albania (Maliq) , with these qualificative indicators.

– Calorific power: 2200 kcal/kg

– Humidity: 11%

– Volatile particles: 39%

– Sulphur presence: 1.1%

Natural Bitumen and Bituminous Substances

Albania is characterised by a significant presence of natural bitumen, which results from the natural transformation of petroleum in the oil deposit areas, particularly near the major tectonic falls. They are mostly occurring between limestone and bituminous dolomites, in schistes and sands.

Natural Bitumen

The high-quality bitumen deposit is located in Selenica (Vlora region). From this mine is extracted a porous bitumen, which is plastic and polished. It is a high quality bitumen containing 15-17% ashes, with a melting point of 105-115° C.

Bituminous coal

Like the natural bitumen, this mineral is found in Selenica and contains free carbon at 70-92% and releases a calorific power of 3500-7500 Kcal/kg (or 14,7-31,5 MJ/kg).

Bituminous sands

Considerable deposits of bituminous sands are discovered in the areas of Treblove, Kasnice and Visoke

Bituminous sands in Albania present the petroleum floating asphalt and the gas stratifications. The mode of forming is the same with that of tar sands formed in Venezuela, Canada (Alberta), etc.

Non-Metalliferous Minerals

Albania is rich with non-metalliferous industrial minerals, which constitute an extraordinary asset for the country that needs to become a marketed component as their best use possible could have a significant impact on the economic consolidation.

Each of the non-metalliferous minerals has specific importance, but the most needed ones are those found in considerable amount and which have a broad scope of application, such as limestone and dolomites, clays, gypsums and anhydrites, all types of decorative stones, basalts, etc. without excluding olivinites, caolines, volcanic glass, granites, phosphorites, etc.

Deposits of non-metalliferous minerals

Limestones

Limestones represent the carbonatic raw material, distributed from the oldest Triassic-Jurassic depositaries up to the youngest ages of Cretaceous and Eocene, in the form of massifs, layers and belts, in almost all districts of the country as, Tropoja, Kukesi, Shkodra, in the North up to Korça, Kolonja and Gjirokaster in the South.

There are recognised about 60 deposits of limestones objects calculated with huge quantities with an open perspective to enlarge. Limestones are used for the cement productions, lime and construction aggregates.

Dolomites

Dolomites as limestones are widely spread in Albania in the form of seams, packs and belts of considerable dimensions. Dukat deposit is the main deposit with an average content of MgO, 18-21 %. Dolomites seams are located in the Borsh, Kurbin and Kruja region with an average of 18%.

There are more than 33 deposits of dolomites, travertine, marls and trepel, with a huge quantities of reserves.

Carbonatic Decorative Stones

Carbonatic decorative stones are mainly located in the Korabi zone, in the peripheral parts of Mirdita tectonic zone. In the Alps regions, in Krasta-Cukali, Kruja and that Jonic, starting from Tropoja and Kukes in the North, continuing in the South with Dibra, Bulqiza, Mat, Librazhd, Pogradec, Korca, Kolonja and the zones of Lezha, Kruja, Tirana, Elbasan, Lushnja, Vlora, Tepelena, Gjirokaster and Saranda, in the South.

There are about 90 deposits of decorative carbonatic and ophiolitic stones in huge quantities, with opened perspective to be enlarged.

Actually, the usage of decorative stone in construction sector is low.

Phosphorites

The phosphorites deposits are located mainly in the carbonatic rocks of Jonic tectonic zone, in the regions of Tepelena (Gusmar), Gjirokaster (Fushe Bardha), Saranda, etc.

Actually 12 phosphorite deposits have been discovered, with a considerable quantity of reserves.

Clays

There are huge quantities of clay reserves. There are over 90 deposits of different kinds of clays as follows:

Porcelanous clays in Tamara and Burrel

Montmorillonite, atapulgite clays in Shëngjin and Burrel

Flysch Clays are deposited in over eight occurrences such as: Bradasheshi (Elbasan), Drisht and Tarabosh in Shkodra, Brar in Tirana, etc. A specific characteristic of these clays is the high CaO presence, making them appropriate for the cement production.

Silica Sands and Quartzites

Findings speak of almost 30 deposits of quartzes and silica sand with considerable mineral reserves. Silica sands are used in glass production, abrasive and metallurgy. The average contents of silica sand is above 80% SiO2 , about 10% Al2O3 and Fe2O3

Gypsums Anhydrites

Thanks to the geological workings an important quantity of gypsum reserves has been discovered. The main gypsum deposits are located in Dumre, Kavaja, Vlora Saranda and Dibra regions.

Rock Salt

The main deposts of rock salt are located in Mengaj, Tile and Dhrovjan areas. The quantity of reserves estimated in these deposits is more than some hundred million tons with a content of NaCl =76-82%.

River-bed Gravels

Almost 52 deposits of river-bed aggregates (sand and gravel) have been studied and discovered throughout all the rivers of the country, with a huge quantity reserves estimated.

Olivinites

The olivinite deposits are mainly locate in the Eastern Belt of ultrabasic massifs. The most important deposits are located in Kukes and Tropoja-ultrabasic massifs. The olivinittes may be used as a refractory material, when they are fresh and the MgO content in them is at 46-48 %, but they may also be used as decorative stones.

Volcanic Glass

Volcanic glasses are represented by volcanic middle-acid lime rocks and acid aquiferous rocks, which, subjected to a technologic process at the temperature of 900-1200° C, may be expanded within 30-60 seconds, enlarging the volume with 5-20 times.

Volcanic glasses deposits are locatedin the volcanic complex of Central Mirëdita, mainly in the western part of Munella mountain, from Marshterkor in south up to Lak Roshi in the north.

Magnesites

Magnesites deposits are located in the ultrabasic rocks which are connected with moulder and serpentized peridotites in the massifs of our country (Gomsiqe, Levrushk, Korthpulë, Shahinaj, Shengjun, Lucanë, Devoll)

Granites

Albania has several massifs known as bearers of small granite occurrences (Trokuzë, Levrushk, Fierza, Radomir, Peladhi, etc.). The mineralization in Levrushk granite massif is represented by (feldspar quartz), which can be used in glass and ceramics production.

Ophiolitic Decorative Stones

These kind of stones can be found in Mirdita area, from Tropoja to Kukes in north, down to Korca and Kolonja in south.

There are 20 discovered deposits of ophiolitic decorative stones, which contain more than some million m³ of reserves.

The further geological study of these deposits can be a source for the increase of its using direction and enlarge the quantity of reserves..

Basalts

Basalts arelocated in Mirëdita tectonic zone, in the northern part of Kukës region, Puka, Mirëdita, as well as in Korca and Kolonja.

By this huge quantity of reserves, located from North to South, can fulfil not only the requests of the country but to export them.

Mining Industry Development Trends and Priorities

Production increase of the traditional, such as chrome, copper, nickel, as well as enhancement of their processing scale, in order to make them competitive in supplying the domestic and foreign market;
Expansion of the production range and processing of other minerals, such as bituminous sands, olivinites, basalts, decorative stones, etc.;
Promotion of all the existing reserves, enabling the exploitation, processing and marketing of the products, both for the domestic and foreign market;
Application of updated technologies in mines and processing units (enriching plants, breaking-fractioning-grinding plants, metallurgic factories, etc.), enabling a complex mineral exploitation;

Enhancement of management methods. Effective utilization of the existing mineral resources and of those to be found in the future, in order to introduce them in the market and eye an increase of revenues from their exportation, as well as raw or processed products.

Legislation on Mining Activity

“Mining Law of Albania” No.7796, date 17.02.1994, amended by the Law No.9261, date 22.07.2004 and the Law No.9667, date 29.12.2006. The approvement and amendment of this Law facilitated the procedures to attract and guarantee the foreign and domestic investments in mining activity.
Law No.9126, date 29/07//2003 “For civil using of explosives in the Republic of Albania”.
Mining activity related with projecting assesing, advising, monitoring and technical administration of mining activities is curried out by mining specialists, who have obtained a permit by the National Agency of Natural Resources (AKBN) according to the criterias approved by the Council of Ministres (article 20 of Mining Law of Albania).
The law “On Concessions”.
The law “On National Taxes”.

The draft of the new “Mining Law of Albania” is prepared and is in process of approve by the Albanian Parliament.

May 16, 2011

by AEA

The Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP)

The Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP) is an active, global partnership that works to reduce the barriers limiting the uptake of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies, with a primary focus on emerging markets and developing countries.

Key activities

REEEP initiates and funds projects; targeted interventions in two specific areas that offer the greatest potential for developing the market for sustainable energy:

assisting governments in creating favourable regulatory and policy frameworks
promoting innovative finance and business models to activate the private sector

REEEP develops and supports policy-maker networks through initiatives such as the Energy Efficiency Coalition (EEC), the Sustainable Energy Regulation Network (SERN) and Renewable Energy and International Law (REIL) sub-networks.

REEEP disseminates and replicates learnings through news items, publications, its website and events. It also operates a search engine for the green energy world (reegle) and a clean energy blog.

The Partnership was established alongside the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg. It is now comprised of more than 350 partners including 45 governments as well as a range of private companies and international organisations. Some 4300 individuals are also registered as Friends of REEEP.

REEEP has a network of Regional Secretariats on the ground around the globe, including China and India, ensuring that all activities are locally relevant and focused.

REEEP is supported primarily by governments (Australia, Austria, Canada, the European Union, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, the US and the United Kingdom) and by contributions from the private sector. Robust governance and monitoring structures ensure that all contributions are spent transparently and effectively. (www.reeep.org)

May 15, 2011

by AEA

GWEC

We are the global wind industry trade association, providing a credible and representative forum for the entire wind energy sector at the international level. Our mission is to ensure that wind power establishes itself as one of the world’s leading energy sources, providing substantial environmental and economic benefits.

Mission

We work on four main areas:
Policy development: To participate in policy and regulatory forums that work to create frameworks for wind power development. More about GWEC policy work.

Business leadership: To provide the strategic and business leadership needed to engage external stakeholders.

Global outreach: To work with emerging markets to transfer know-how and strengthen the development of wind energy world-wide. More about GWEC projects.

Information and education: To serve as a platform for providing quality information, expertise, analysis and data about wind energy.

(http://www.gwec.net)