Albania’s energy crisis to be resolved by mid-2009, says minister

TIRANA, Jan. 28 – Minister of Economy, Trade and Energy Genc Ruli said last week that there would be no future problems in power supplies for all consumers who pay their bill.
The minister said meeting energy needs would be met due to the many projects underway including the new thermo-power station in Vlore, the 400 kV Elbasan- Podgorica link to be complete in the middle of 2009, mobile emergency generators able to produce 200 MW of power, and the network of small hydro-power stations whose construction of which started in 2007 and will continue in compliance with the demands of private entities and concessionaires.
The minister said power supplies would be cut to consumers who do not pay their energy bills.
The country has endured a continuing power supply crisis during the last three years largely due to lack of rain and production capacities, poor management and unpaid consumer bills.