![2013-10-03 Fierza Hydroelectric Power Station, Albania 0632](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0a/2013-10-03_Fierza_Hydroelectric_Power_Station%2C_Albania_0632.jpg)
Renewable energy in Albania includes
biomass
Biomass is plant-based material used as a fuel for heat or electricity production. It can be in the form of wood, wood residues, energy crops, agricultural residues, and waste from industry, farms, and households. Some people use the terms bi ...
,
geothermal,
hydropower
Hydropower (from el, ὕδωρ, "water"), also known as water power, is the use of falling or fast-running water to Electricity generation, produce electricity or to power machines. This is achieved by energy transformation, converting the Pot ...
,
solar
Solar may refer to:
Astronomy
* Of or relating to the Sun
** Solar telescope, a special purpose telescope used to observe the Sun
** A device that utilizes solar energy (e.g. "solar panels")
** Solar calendar, a calendar whose dates indicate t ...
, and
wind
Wind is the natural movement of air or other gases relative to a planet's surface. Winds occur on a range of scales, from thunderstorm flows lasting tens of minutes, to local breezes generated by heating of land surfaces and lasting a few hou ...
energy.
Albania relies mostly on
hydroelectric resources, therefore, it has difficulties when water levels are low. The climate in Albania is Mediterranean, so it possesses considerable potential for
solar energy
Solar energy is radiant light and heat from the Sun that is harnessed using a range of technologies such as solar power to generate electricity, solar thermal energy (including solar water heating), and solar architecture. It is an essenti ...
production.
Mountain elevations provide good areas for
wind projects. There is also potentially usable
geothermal energy
Geothermal energy is the thermal energy in the Earth's crust which originates from the formation of the planet and from radioactive decay of materials in currently uncertain but possibly roughly equal proportions. The high temperature and pres ...
because Albania has natural wells.
Hydro power
The current electricity source in Albania is mostly from hydropower plants, however, this is not very reliable since water levels fluctuate. Verbund, an Austrian company, and Albania made an agreement to construct the hydropower plant Ashta in 2012. It is estimated to supply power to approximately 100,000 households.
Solar power
![Albania GHI Solar-resource-map GlobalSolarAtlas World-Bank-Esmap-Solargis](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5f/Albania_GHI_Solar-resource-map_GlobalSolarAtlas_World-Bank-Esmap-Solargis.png)
The United Nations Development Program is supporting a program to install solar panels in Albania. The program has used $2.75 million to support the installation of of solar panels. By 2010, of solar panels were installed and by 2014 the target had been met. There are of solar panels expected to be installed by 2015.
Albania gets about 2100–2700 hours of sunshine in a year so it has a great potential for solar energy.
Solar power in Albania
Renewable energy in Albania includes biomass, geothermal, hydropower, Solar power, solar, and wind energy. Albania relies mostly on Hydroelectric power, hydroelectric resources, therefore, it has difficulties when water levels are low. The clim ...
Solar energy is easily accessible since most energy comes directly or indirectly from the sun. It could be used for heating and lighting homes, commercial, and industrial buildings.
Wind power
Albania has enormous potential for electric energy from wind power. Notwithstanding the total licenses distributed throughout the country amounting to approximately 2548 MW with an energy generation potential around 5.7 TWh/year, yet no wind farm projects have been completed, and very few are currently in the pipeline in some way.
[Dr Lorenc Gordani (Aug 27, 2019). ]
Albania: Wind energy deployment potential offered by market opening
. Published Energy world magazine. Republished to th
professional blog of Lorenc Gordani
The coastal lowlands and Southern, Eastern, and Northern Albania mountains are excellent areas for wind turbines. The wind speed is 8–9 m/s in many areas of Albania.
Geothermal energy
Geothermal energy could also be used in Albania. It comes from warm water sources from underground soil. Geothermal energy comes from the heat generated by the Earth. There are some spots called hot spots that generate more heat than others. There are natural wells near Albania's border with Greece. This energy could be used for heating purposes. Geothermal energy in Albania is under study and there have been no attempts to use it yet.
Laws and petitions
The Power Sector Law No.9073, approved in 2004, gives permits to construct new hydropower plants.
The Concession Law No.9663, approved in 2006, attracts private investments in hydropower plants.
Albania placed a tariff for existing and new hydropower plants in 2007.
The Electricity Market Model was approved in 2008. It facilitates purchases between independent power producers and small power producers. It allows producers to sell electricity to all markets at agreed terms. Non-household customers can become eligible consumers and choose their energy suppliers. This helps renewable energy to be more accessible.
See also
*
Renewable energy in the European Union
Renewable energy plays an important and growing role in the energy system of the European Union. The Europe 2020 strategy included a target of reaching 20% of gross final energy consumption from renewable sources by 2020, and at least 32% by 203 ...
*
Solar power in Albania
Renewable energy in Albania includes biomass, geothermal, hydropower, Solar power, solar, and wind energy. Albania relies mostly on Hydroelectric power, hydroelectric resources, therefore, it has difficulties when water levels are low. The clim ...
*
Hydroelectricity in Albania
Albania is the biggest producer of hydroelectric energy in the world by percentage (90% as of 2011) and by own production (100%). Albania aims to increase its hydroelectric energy production to 100%. Some of the projects underway include Skavica ...
*
Renewable energy by country
This is a list of renewable energy topics by country and territory. These links can be used to compare developments in renewable energy in different countries and territories and to help and encourage new writers to participate in writing about ...
References
External links
{{Albania topics