Konfindustria: We demand stable supply and affordable energy

TIRANA, June 5 – Gjergj Buxhuku, the general administrator of the business organization Konfindustria, demanded the Albanian government take every measure necessary to provide Albanian industry with uninterrupted, stable and cheap energy. Buxhuku said Albanian industry is suffering, even in 2008, the repercussions of power cuts during 2007. The continuous and extended power cuts that occurred during 2007 forced many businesses to close down because of increased production costs. “We have demanded uninterrupted supplies of electricity and prices equal to those in the other countries of our region, as necessary support for Albanian business”, Buxhuku said. The Albanian government has never been able to deliver both stable power supply and prices comparable to those of our neighbouring countries. However, businesses are in need of, mostly, the first demand, stable supply. Further, they are calling upon the Albanian government to study market development and to prepare for an increase in the demand for energy. Although businesses are using energy more efficiently, they are still going to need more energy in the coming years. In 2007, Albanian businesses used 9.1 percent more energy than five years ago.
However, Albanian businesses use only 48 percent of electricity supplied by KESH while residential consumers use the remaining 52 percent. Albanian families are using less electricity because many are switching to natural gas for heating during the winter months. In 2007, Albanian families used 4.08 percent less electricity than in 2006 and 8.01 percent less than 5 years ago. (Tirana Times Staff)