Albania has made a significant achievement in its electricity sector by obtaining all its electricity from low-carbon sources in 2023. A dominant 97% of this clean electricity is generated through hydropower, while solar energy accounts for just over 3%. This completely clean energy mix not only meets domestic needs but also allows Albania to be a significant net exporter of electricity, aiding neighboring countries in reducing their emissions. The next critical step for Albania is to electrify its transport, heating, and industrial sectors, which will significantly increase electricity demand, emphasizing the necessity for even more low-carbon generation.
Is Electricity Growing in Albania?
Electricity consumption in Albania is slightly growing. In 2023, total electricity consumption reached 3,205 kWh per person, marking a modest increase from the previous record of 3,192 kWh per person set in 2013. The rise is even more pronounced in low-carbon electricity generation, which advanced to a new high of 3,205 kWh per person in 2023, surpassing the previous peak of 3,137 kWh per person recorded in 2021. This growth underscores the potential and need for Albania to invest further in expanding its electricity capacity through low-carbon sources.
Suggestions
To increase its low-carbon electricity generation, Albania should focus on expanding solar power and consider introducing nuclear energy into its mix. Solar energy, though currently a small portion of the country's electricity, presents a promising avenue for growth due to Albania's favorable climatic conditions. Additionally, investing in nuclear energy could provide a reliable and constant source of low-carbon electricity, further solidifying Albania's status as a green energy leader. These steps will be key to supporting the electrification of other sectors and maintaining export capabilities.
History
The trajectory of low-carbon electricity generation in Albania has experienced fluctuations over the years. In the early 1990s, there was a modest decline in hydropower but the late 1990s saw some recovery, including a notable increase of 1.5 TWh in 1996. The early 2000s were a period of ups and downs with generation sometimes falling and sometimes rising. By the late 2000s and into the 2010s, there were more pronounced swings, particularly a significant decline of 3.4 TWh in both 2011 and 2019, while 2018 marked a substantial gain of 4 TWh. Most recently, in 2021, a notable increase of 3.6 TWh was observed. These fluctuations highlight the importance of diversifying Albania's low-carbon electricity sources beyond hydropower to stabilize and increase clean electricity production, which would secure the country’s energy future and boost its role as an electricity exporter.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.