Setting targets towards a viable energy model in Albania.
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In order we can meet with Paris Agreement objective we have to scaled up to 6 time faster with Renewable Energies in order to have by 2050 a Neutral Europe.
By 2030 EU targets, we should meet over 32% of Renewables, and 32.5% of EE.
But what is the situation in Albania Energy Sector. I will focus in this presentation mostly in electricity demands and gaps which must be filled by new renewable technologies.
Our electricity is produced 100% from hydropower. And in 2017 we see that our Net Production was only 4525GWh, which is 37% less compare to previous year because of climate change. The question rise, is still fine to invest in massive hydro power plants? Imports for 2017 were 45%, every year Albania is spending 160 to over 200 million Euros for imports.
Albania has installed over 2.1GW Hydro capacities, and on going are 545 other small hydro power plants, but are hydro investment capacities meet the energy demand by more than 40% till 2030?, here including the climate change effects?
To meet this Albania has implemented an important Law On Promoting the use of Energy from RES, which practically is driving investments in Hydro, PV, Wind, EE.
To make diversification of Energy Mix, Based in this Law, it is implementit FIT for PV and Wind , with capacities till 2020, at least 30MW of Wind and 50MW of PV. But are these targets enough with Albania which is importing 45% of its electricity ?
The capacities are available to invest : Like in Wind there are over 857MW of licences are given, no investment in horizon in this. Most of the interesting places to invest are Karaburun Peninsula, Gjader Hills, South east and North West of Albania.
Albania rely on dominant single source of electricity supply, like Hydropower, and on imported oil and gas. “How we can address these vulnerabilities?, is by diversifying the energy mix within the region as well as sources of external supply, by promoting energy efficiency and the development of renewable energy sources.”
Smart Energy in our cities, it is an opportunity for Public and commercial building too, to start invest in EE, and focus in PV systems up to 500kW as also is specified by the law. In order to have CO2 reduction and meet energy demand we should start act now, where this kind of technologies have the return of investment up to max 5-6years.
In large scale of investments there are available over 2GW PV in West Albania, at least in 4 main area. In Vlora Akerni 950MW, in Fier Darzeze 375MW, Fier Seman 340MW, in Lushnja Karavasta 380MW.The mixture of all renewable energy options could help the Western Balkans cut its carbon emissions, while delivering secure and sustainable energy at a lower cost.