TIRANA, March 10 – Albanian Economy, Trade and Energy Minister Genc Ruli and Italian Economic Development Minister Claudio Scajola signed Tuesday an agreement on the integration of electrical systems and natural gas.
The agreement was intended to connect and promote the integration of energy systems, implementation of a harmonization of the relevant disciplines through the development of projects of common interest and a greater coordination of initiatives between the two countries.
Both sides agreed to complete the procedures for granting necessary authorizations for the development of projects that are considered of interest, accelerate administrative procedures, promote cooperation between the respective administrators of the electrical transmission networks and coordinate their activities on the international networks of exchange of electricity.
The two ministers expressed their support for projects of inter-connection, which are: the integrated project called “Energy Complex” by Enel SpA, which envisages the construction of an inter-connection of 500 MW between the network transmitter and the Albanian and Italian broadcaster networks and linked to a coal-producing power plant, implementation by the Moncada group of the inter-connection line between the Albanian and Italian power grids, implementation by the Marseglia Group of another inter-connection line, and also the implementation by the ASG Power group of a liquid-gas power plant.
Concerning the natural gas development and link, the agreement provides for a joint advisory committee to coordinate the work and consider the consequences in Albania from the construction of infrastructure for the supply gas network, its integration at the regional level, thus further developing a market power in the Balkan region and especially in Albania.
Nuclear energy
The Italian minister also seemed to try to give an end to calls from the Albanian premier for a nuclear power plant in Albania.
“Nuclear energy has a lot of advandatages mainly linked to environment. The interest for such energy has increased from many countries. Albania has big hydric resources and other alternatives of electricity production from wind or coal. One should carefully look at the balances and I believe that the nuclear (reactor) is not necessary. It is important to create the inter-connection lines so that electricity finds no obstacles when passing from one country to the other,” said Scajola at an interview to the private Top Channel television station.
