Full liberalization of energy market urged

TIRANA, Oct. The full liberalization of the energy market and the promotion of free competition is the best long-term protection to consumers, Prime Minister Sali Berisha said at a conference on Third Package” refers to a package of EU legislation on European electricity and gas markets. The purpose of the Third Package which has been in force since Sept. 2009 is to further liberalise European energy markets. Albania’ Energy Minister and deputy PM Edmond Haxhnasto also stressed the need for the further liberalization of the energy market and brining the legal and regulatory framework in line with EU directives.
EU Ambassador to Albania Ettore Sequi described the Third Package an important step because of setting rules on consumer protection. “The approval of this package together with EU rules should not be considered an administrative or legislative burden. The package targets a stable, transparent and reliable market in Albania” said Sequi.
In late 2012, Albania approved a draft paving the way to the liberalization of the electericity market. Under the law, in force since Jan. 2012, big energy consumers will be supplied with electricity by qualified suppliers other than CEZ Shperndarje at prices not regulated by the energy watchdog ERE to minimize rising costs for state-owned power utility KESH. The Competition Authority has earlier demanded the Energy Ministry and ERE to take further steps to liberalize the country’s highly monopolized electricity market by allowing competition which would lead to better service and lower prices. Under some recent recommendations made to the government and ERE, the latter being a legally independent institution, the Competition Authority demands that both state owned electricity producer KESH, and private electricity distribution operator CEZ should operate financially and functionally separated from their wholesale and retail public suppliers.