Albanians suffer regular power cuts

TIRANA, Jan. 10 – Albanian authorities say that power cuts are affecting all the country in the last month due to the overcharge of the distribution network.
Residents suffer more during the last cold winter days as power cuts leave them without heating for at least four hours a day and no lights in the streets.
In Kombinat, a quarter in Tirana suburbs, people speak of daily cuts up to four hours. They also say that during the last cold days they have not seen their streets with lights.
Many Albanians heat their homes with air conditioners or other power equipment that still seem to be cheaper that liquid gas or wood that is not so often found or traded any more.
Later this month the Albanian Energy Regulator (ERE), in charge of the energy sector in the country, is expected to complete procedures on lifting the license to the Czech-controlled grid operator CEZ Shperndarje, which controls 76 percent of the power distributor.
CEZ complains of unpaid bills, while the government, that is expected to take over the management after ERE decision, claims CEZ has failed to carry out agreed investments.
In November ERE started the procedure on lifting the license. It will decide that the government will undertake the management of the utility for an interim period, likely until it starts the tender again for the sale of the company.
The decision is expected Jan. 20.