Government gives out in concession 17 small hydropower units

TIRANA, March.14- The government addressed the problems with energy crisis with an important step that had been planned months ago: the concession grant on 17 small hydro-power units whose capacity varies between 2 and 10 megawatt. The process will be coordinated by the Ministry of the Economy in collaboration wit the new Agency for Energy that is expected to be created soon. The special form of the concession, BOT includes that the investor has the right to build the hydropower unit, operate it for a limited amount of time and then give it to the state. The tenders for these concessions will be announced in 50 days time and include facilities in Tervoli, ȡrshova, Egnatia, Qytez묠Vlush묠Lengarica 1 and 2, Verba, Mesmal and Vel袮, Lura 1, Lura 2, Lura 3, Strelca 1, Strelca 2, Strelca 3, etc. Berisha stressed the importance of the transparency of the tenders given the nature of the hydropower reserves that are considered national public wealth. The government will assist the investors with problems arising from the land owners where he facilities will be built. The government will take over the expenses related to the compensation of the territory owners. An important decision has been taken also as far as the price of energy is concerned. This will be calculated as the average of the previous year imports and will be consistent.
The Prime Minister Berisha evaluated this decision as an important step towards the solution of the energy problem. Berisha repeated that the promise of 24 hours energy remains a priority for his government, no matter the extreme situations experienced this winter.
The new executive head of KESH, Gjergj Bojaxhi has been trusted with three main tasks: 24 hours of power, the privatization of the distribution unit of KESH and the well management of the corporation. In his first press conference, Bojaxhi stressed the difficulties related to the hydro-reserves situation and dry weather.