TIRANA, Aug.29- The deepening of the energy crisis that has resulted in strict power cuts throughout the country has forced the government to consider emergency measures, given that the upcoming cold seasons are expected to worsen the power outages. Experts say that within two months the country risks a total energy collapse if there is no improvement in local production and meteorological conditions. In this situation, the savings of crucial reserves at the Fierza hydropower unit becomes very important. Hence the government has started to consider the idea of using movable thermo-power plants, though they have a substantial cost and several technological operation requirements that are hard to meet.
High costs
Even if the government decided to remove the excise tax from the fuel that would feed these new units, the cost of energy production would still remain very high, around 10 leks/ kilowatt/hour, which is much higher than the current amount the Albanian consumer pays. One liter of oil type D1, needed for these plants even untaxed would cost around 50 lek. Another problem is the installation and start up costs. Hence importing electricity, which costs around 8-8.5 lek, is more cost effective compared to this. However, the country has limited importing capacities that have proven very low during this recent crisis. The minister of the economy has expressed the government decision to wait to make a decision until September since it still hopes that the seasonal changes might bring some rainfall.
Bids and dilemmas
In case the government decided to procure such means of energy production, another dilemma would be to rent the equipment or buy it. Experts explain that if the government wants to buy the so-called diesel groups with 100 mega power capacity, it would have to spend a considerable $ 100 million. Renting has its own problems related to the cash flow of companies that would operate them. Given that the next three years are predicted to be characterized by dry weather, energy crisis experts suggest that purchasing would be a more sustainable solution. They also say that installation period varies between three and six months, hence the administration would have to decide quickly on the issue given the dire conditions that the population is facing.
Ex KESH head says mega-generators can solve crisis temporarily
The idea of moveable thermo-power plants, or so called mega-generators, seems to have originated by the opposition, and concretely from MP Andis Harasani, one of the most successful former heads of KESH. Harasani has explained that two units of 100 mega capacity each would solve the situation until rains start with the change of the season. He insisted, though, that the crisis is more serious than this and has already harmed the economy. The figures are as bad as in 1997, Harasani claimed, accusing the government of not following its long term strategy in energy investments. He mentioned corruption, scandals and inefficient implementation of important projects regarding the Vlora thermo power plant, the transmission lines for Montenegro that were postponed and the feasibility studies about small hydropower plants that will be given in concession. The SP member also said that with a strong national team of experts the problem would not require more than two months to be solved.
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