TIRANA, Dec. 23 – Lack of adequate rainfall during the past few months has forced the country’s state-run power utility, KESH, to reduce hydro-dependent domestic electricity generation and increase imports at a time when consumption is at its peak levels.
Water levels at the Drin Cascade where the country’s three biggest hydropower plants are situated have significantly dropped following sporadic rainfall, increasing reliance on electricity imports whose cost is much higher than domestically produced hydro-power.
Water levels at the Fierza HPP, the country’s biggest energy producer, were reported to have dropped to 270 meters this week, considerably below its peak level of 295 meters and only 10 meters below its stoppage point. The situation in the two other state-run Koman and Vau i Dejes HPPs is similar.
A local inhabitant described the situation as difficult but not severe because critical conditions also make visible the ruins of the old town of Kukes, inundated in the early 1970s to pave the way to the construction of the Drin Cascade, the country’s main electricity producer.
Albania become a net exporter of electricity in the first half of this year on higher hydro-dependent domestic production and a cut in distribution losses, says the country’s state statistical institute, INSTAT, in a report.
The increase in domestic electricity generation in the first half of 2015 reduced imports by 54 percent and increased exports by seven times, making Albania a net exporter compared to a net importer in the first half of 2014.
Fuelled by heavy rains which also caused huge flooding, Albania’s hydro-dependent domestic electricity generation rose by about 60 percent to 3.750 GWh, with private and concession hydropower plants increasing their share to 25 percent of the total.
The reduction in grid losses by 25 percent after a nationwide campaign to curb electricity thefts also had a major impact on Albania’s improved electricity balance.
