Electricity in Albania in 2022

As of 2022, Albania's electricity consumption is characterized by a substantial reliance on low-carbon energy sources, particularly hydropower. The country generated around 7 TWh of clean electricity, almost entirely from hydropower, which accounts for more than half of its electricity production. This places Albania in a promising position regarding the use of sustainable energy. However, when compared to the global average electricity consumption of 432 watts per person, Albania’s per capita consumption is significantly lower. This disparity indicates that the country might be experiencing limitations in industrial growth and residential well-being, as access to ample and reliable electricity is a key factor in socio-economic development.

Suggestions

To increase its low-carbon electricity generation, Albania can look to successful examples from other countries. Given Albania’s geographical and climatic similarities to the Mediterranean regions, countries like Spain and Italy offer valuable insights. Spain has developed significant wind (64 TWh) and solar (47 TWh) capacities, while Italy has also made strides in solar energy, generating 31 TWh. Additionally, Brazil, which shares certain economic characteristics with Albania, has been successful with wind power, producing 96 TWh. Albania could pursue these strategies by investing in wind and solar technologies, benefiting from modern advancements and regional partnerships. Furthermore, embracing nuclear energy, as seen in countries like France (336 TWh), could provide a stable and consistent addition to the energy mix.

History

Over the past few decades, Albania's low-carbon electricity generation, primarily from hydropower, has seen significant fluctuations. In the 1990s, the country experienced both notable increases and declines, such as the 1.5 TWh increase in 1996 followed by a 0.7 TWh drop in 1997. The early 2000s were characterized by similar variability with a notable increase in 2003 (1.6 TWh), but also significant declines, such as the 2.2 TWh drop in 2007. The 2010s mirrored this trend, particularly with substantial rises like the 2.4 TWh increase in 2010 and significant falls, notably a 3.4 TWh decline in both 2011 and 2019. Most recently, a decrease of 2 TWh in 2022 underscores the need for diversification and stability within Albania's electricity generation portfolio. Emulating other countries' successes with wind, solar, and nuclear energy could aid in this endeavor.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources