Prishtina, 4 March, 2024
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti and the Minister of Economy, Artane Rizvanolli, participated today in the ceremony of the functionalization of the Market one day ahead for the Bidding Zone of Kosovo and the Union of Electricity Markets Kosovo-Albania.
“The inauguration of ALPEX marks a historic moment for the energy sector of Kosovo and our commitment to cooperation with the Republic of Albania”, the Prime Minister began his speech, emphasizing that ALPEX serves as a vital tool for development, promoting fair competition, setting reliable price signals and encouraging investment in new renewable energy capacity.
In addition to being a challenge, facing the energy crisis in recent years has also enabled the deepening of cross-border cooperation, in which case the Prime Minister recalled that the citizens and businesses of Albania spent the summer with plenty of energy thanks to the energy deposited from Kosovo, meanwhile citizens and businesses of Kosovo have spent the winter warmer, thanks to the energy received from Albania.
“Now, such exchanges are made through our common exchange. If Kosovo still remained an isolated energy market, we would have traded 9,134 megawatt hours of energy during the month of February, while with the union of markets with Albania, which is known as “Market Coupling”, this figure reaches 28,106 megawatt hours, i.e. more than triple. Meanwhile, 3,282 megawatt hours were traded in coupling today. So, today Kosovo has broken the record for the amount traded”, declared Prime Minister Kurti.
As for the energy sector, the Government of the Republic of Kosovo focuses on security of supply and financial affordability for citizens and businesses of the country. Thus, through cooperation with Albania and other neighbors, we aim to open the economy by helping businesses become more efficient and cost-effective, optimize technological integration and create an environment for attracting investments.
“Let’s continue to work together to build a sustainable, secure and prosperous energy environment. Together for regional cooperation, economic development, synergy and transparency and a strong environment for private sector investments”, said Prime Minister Kurti, among other things, because synergy in energy is a power that we need and want, he said.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Economy, Artane Rizvanolli, emphasized that today they are marking this historic day for the energy sector, for the operation of the Albanian electricity exchange ALPEX, in the Republic of Kosovo and that of Albania. As the minister said, the importance of this exchange and the joint operation of our electricity markets is difficult to describe because it is multidimensional and its impacts are not only seen today, but we will see the biggest impacts throughout the years that are they come
At the end of this event, Prime Minister Kurti thanked the partners from Albania, including the Transmission System Operator, the Energy Regulatory Authority and the Ministry of Infrastructure, as well as the United States Government and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), for their support, while calling on us to work together to build a sustainable, secure and prosperous energy environment.
Prime Minister Kurti’s complete speech:
Honorable Mrs. Artane Rizvanolli, Minister of Economy,
Your Excellency, Mr. Petrit Malaj, Ambassador of Albania to the Republic of Kosovo,
Your Excellency, Ambassador Tomáš Szunyog, Head of the European Union Office in Kosovo,
Ambassadors and Diplomatic Choir Excellencies,
Dear members of the Assembly of the Republic, leaders and representatives of our state institutions,
Honorable Ms. Eileen Devit, director of the USAID Mission
The honorable Mr. Evetar Zeqiri, Chief Executive Officer of KOSTT,
The honorable Mr. Sokol Dishnica, administrator of the Albanian Electricity Exchange,
Dear ladies and gentlemen,
Dear attendees,
The inauguration of ALPEX marks a historic moment for the energy sector of Kosovo and our commitment to cooperation with the Republic of Albania. A cooperation that plays a role in economic development and transparency in the energy sector, as well as in the transformation of our energy sector in harmony with our National Energy Strategy.
In recent years, the energy crisis has made one thing clear: the energy sector both in Europe and around the world has changed radically. The deepening of cross-border cooperation is one of the most successful ways to face the difficulties and challenges of the new reality in the sector.
The summer, especially in recent years, the citizens and businesses of Albania have spent with abundant energy, thanks to the energy deposited by Kosovo. The winter, especially the latter, the citizens and businesses of Kosovo have spent warmer, thanks to the energy received from Albania.
This cooperation from our companies is made possible by the complementarity of our energy sectors. ALPEX is the implementation of this cooperation. Now, such exchanges are made through our common exchange. If Kosovo still remained an isolated energy market, we would have traded 9,134 megawatt hours of energy during the month of February, while with the union of markets with Albania, known as “Market Coupling”, this figure reaches 28,106 megawatt hours, i.e. more than triple. Meanwhile, 3,282 megawatt hours were traded in coupling today. So, today Kosovo has broken the record for the amount traded.
The goals of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo in the energy sector are focused on guaranteeing security of supply, as well as financial affordability for the citizens and businesses of our country. The common market provides new business opportunities and more cross-border trade.
The integration of the Kosovo-Albania electricity markets is not only a strategic step towards fostering a more connected and efficient energy ecosystem, it is also a catalyst for the involvement of the private sector. Through cooperation with Albania and our neighbors, we aim to open up the economy by helping businesses become more effective and cost-effective, optimize technological integration, be more efficient across the board and create an environment to attract both foreign and domestic investment within the country. Synergy in energy is power we need and love.
ALPEX serves as a vital tool for development, fostering fair competition, setting reliable price signals and encouraging investment in new renewable energy capacity.
In addition to going beyond a local initiative, ALPEX is in harmony with the intended model of the European Union. This proves Kosovo’s commitment to the best international practices in trading and the unification of the electricity market. At the same time, it positions Kosovo as an actor in the wider European electricity market.
Let me express my deep gratitude to our key local partners and institutions for the development of ALPEX.
Of course, ALPEX is a collaborative effort and I thank our partners from the Republic of Albania, including the Transmission System Operator, the Energy Regulatory Authority and the Ministry of Infrastructure, who have worked with us.
In addition, I would like to thank the United States Government and the United States Agency for International Development, USAID, for your support. Your commitment has played a key role in realizing our shared vision for a bright energy future.
Let’s continue to work together to build a sustainable, secure and prosperous energy environment. Together for regional cooperation, economic development, synergy and transparency and a strong private sector investment environment.
Facing the energy crisis have made us more aware, more aware of the need to diversify energy sources as well as the importance of partnerships based on values other than interests. Crises always result in difficulties. But, at the same time, they also present opportunities. I am glad that we have not allowed the energy crisis to go to waste.
It is true that the energy crisis has caused us harm, but it is also true that we are not letting this energy crisis harm us either. We are turning the lessons and experience gained in recent years into new collaborations and opportunities, which make us stronger and better prepared to face the challenges of the future.
It is known that we Albanians live together, but in the word cooperation, in addition to the word together, there is also the word work, so let’s work together in order to achieve greater and greater successes, both for our citizens and for our businesses.
Thank you.
Last modified: March 5, 2024