Energy crisis expected

PODGORICA, Nov.2 – Montenegro, Albania, Macedonia and Greece could expect power shortages in the first three months of 2007, warned European experts on energy issues as well as traders of electricity. Italian newspaper Republica reported that when, Bulgaria, the largest electricity exporter in the Balkans, enters the European Union it has to close down its largest electricity producing plant, Kozloduy NPP. On January 1, the two remaining operating units of the plant will be shut down due to full membership in the EU. The first two units have already been closed during the negotiations for membership. The Montenegrin cabinet said that the only hope for avoiding a strict electricity regime is to have a suitable hydrologic situation. With Bulgaria no longer available to provide power for regional needs, the energy stability in the region could be seriously affected.