User:Karysixg/sandbox/Renewable energy in albania

Renewable energy in Albania is energy in Albania that is sustainable and ranges from hydropower, solar, wind, and geothermal. Albania is a Southeastern country bordered by Kosovo to the northeast, Macedonia to the east, Montenegro to the northwest, and Greece to the south and southeast. Albania has trouble supplying electricity because it relies mostly entirely on hydroelectric resources, therefore, it has difficulties when water levels are low. Albania has a great potential for solar, wind, and geothermal energy. The climate in Albania is Mediterranean so it possesses considerable potential for solar energy. Similarly, the mountain elevations provide good areas for wind projects. There is also potential for geothermal energy because Albania has natural wells.

Hydropower
The current electricity source in Albania is mostly from hydropower plants, however, this is not very reliable since water levels can lower. Verbund, an Austria 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 Energy
The United Nations Environment Program is supporting a program to install solar panels in Albania. The program is supposed to use $2.75 million to install 75,000m^2 of solar panels. By 2010, 10,700m^2 of solar panels were installed. There are 50,000km^2 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 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 potential for wind energy but technologies have not been developed. However, there are plans to develop wind projects in the next years. There is a plan proposing to have 2000MW of wind energy. Wind generates mechanical power through wind turbines. Some geographic locations are better than others because the wind power depends on the speed of the wind. The coastal lowlands and Southern, Eastern, and Northern Albania mountains are good areas for wind turbines. However, there are constraints that take part in choosing location including: altitude, site accessibility, infrastructures, protected areas, and power grid. The wind speed is 8-9m/s in many areas of Albania. Albania might export excess wind energy to Italy.

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.