Investors to obtain HPP permits faster

TIRANA, Aug. 7 – Government has reiterated its intention to accelerate procedures granting energy permits to build hydropower plants. Speaking in a government meeting this week, Prime Minister Berisha said some 76 HPPs with a capacity of 126 MW have already been made operational. Some 50 other are under construction, and 120 others are in the process of obtaining licences and permits. “In total, they account for 1,427 MW or 22 MW above the installed capacity of the whole cascade in River Drin,” said Berisha.
The Prime Minister suggested HPP permits must be obtained in the National Licensing Center which would reduce time and review laws to make the National Center for Energy more functional.
Investments in energy have created thousands of jobs and are key to turning Albania into a small energy superpower in the region, says Berisha adding that government remains determined to make every effort encouraging the construction of 443 hydropower plants.
An annual report published by the country’s Energy Regulatory Entity (ERE) shows six new HPPs, with installed capacity of 17.25 MW were made operational in 2011. ERE data show power generated from the 58 HPPs managed by 26 concession companies dropped by 14 percent to 136.8 GWh because of the unfavourable hydro situation, accounting for only 2 percent of total domestic production.