Czech company to bring energy to Albania

TIRANA, Feb. 6-The Balkans energy market is up for grabs. The news has not escaped the Czech energy provider CEZ which is trying to reach the Southeastern European arena. Thus, the Czech utility company CEZ spokeswoman Eva Nov⬯vᡡnnounced an electricity supply contract with Albanian power company KESH for an unspecified amount. “This first trial supply might be followed by larger supplies in the next months,” she added. Analysts confirm that CEZ slowly dwindling domestic market share currently needs the boost that can come from growth. It trades electricity in nine Central and Southeastern European markets. CEZ’s said its overall share of the Czech end-customer electricity market is expected to drop this year to 53 percent from 56 percent in 2005. In Albania, yearly electricity consumption only reaches 7.5 terra-watt hours; in comparison, demand in the Czech Republic reached 57.6 terra-watt hours in 2005. Albania, like other countries in the region, has been forced to import more electricity, presenting energy groups like CEZ with opportunities. CEZ is already one of four short-listed bidders for building a 2.5 billion Euro power plant in the province of Kosovo, neighboring Albania.