Albania Asks EC to Interfere on 400kV Power Grid with Kosovo

TIRANA, February 10

Albania asked the intervention of the European Commission regarding the 400kV interconnection grid between Albania and Kosovo, which is being blocked by Serbia. The request was made by Minister of Energy and Industry Damian Gjiknuri to European Commissioner Johannes Hahn during the sixth Ministerial meeting of the Western Balkan Platform that was held on Thursday in Skopje Macedonia.
This issue was also by Kosovo’s deputy Minister of Economic Development Gani Koci. Meanwhile, the Serbian Minister of Energy said that this is a political issue that is part of Kosovo-Serbia dialogues in the frame of the Brussels Agreement. Thus, it needs to find a solution in this level of discussions.
Moreover, the ministers raised concern about power supply safety during the last weeks due to the increased import prices caused by low temperatures and lack of rainfall. This is the reason why the price of imported power in Croatian and Serbia the highest level of €200 per megawatt.
Regarding this issue, Minister Gjiknuri said that Albania has not been exposed to this crisis due to the optimal management of its sources.
Further on, the ministers agreed on the supporting the survey on the hydroelectric potential of all the countries of the region. It will help to find new energy sources that are going to serve to the entire region.
Meanwhile, the European Commission and European Investment Fund signed the agreement for allocation a contribution of Euro 40 million from the European Union in support of the regional power efficiency program.

News Source: energjia.gov.al