TIRANA, Oct. 21 – A new regulation on the granting of permits to build private hydropower plants not under concession contracts has given the energy ministry the power to decide on their approval.
The new rules which have entered into force envisage that applications for private HPPs with a capacity of more than 2 MW will be examined by a seven-member assessment commission established by the energy minister and sent to the government for final approval.
For smaller HPPs with a capacity of below 2 MW the decision can be approved by the energy minister on his own.
The government has envisaged permits for thermal power plants, combined heat and power plants, wind energy, photovoltaic power stations using solar energy, and biomass energy.
Meanwhile, concession hydropower plants will continue to be awarded based on tender procedures.
