Economy of Albania |
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Overview |
Albanian topics |
Renewable energy in Albania includes biomass, geothermal, hydropower, solar, and wind energy. [1] Albania relies mostly on hydroelectric resources, therefore, it has difficulties when water levels are low. The climate in Albania is Mediterranean, so it possesses considerable potential for solar energy production. [2] Mountain elevations provide good areas for wind projects. There is also potentially usable geothermal energy because Albania has natural wells.
Albania is the biggest producer of hydroelectric energy in the world by percentage (90% as of 2011) and by own production (100%). [3] Albania aims to increase its hydroelectric energy production to 100%. [4] Some of the projects underway include Skavica, which generates up to 350 MW, Devolli which generates up to 400 MW, Vjosa which generates up to 400 MW, Kalivaci and Ashta which both generate up to 48 MW, and Valbona and Tropojë, which both generate up to 40 MW.
Albanian has more potential for hydroelectric energy, but the decision to build more dams is not an easy one, since the country remains steadfast in safeguarding its natural beauty. [5] Moreover, the production profile in the country does not always align with the consumption profile; electricity demand in Albania peaks during spring and summer seasons, primarily due to tourism, when rainfall is lower and the dams have less water. In 2022, the net domestic production was 7,002 GWh, while the total consumption was 7,924 GWh; Albania had to import approximately 922 GWh to meet domestic demand. That year they imported 3,044 GWh during dry seasons and exported 2,123 GWh during rainy seasons. Albania is trying to become more energy independent by diversifying electricity generation. [6]
The United Nations Development Program is supporting a program to install solar panels in Albania. The program has used $2.75 million to support the installation of 75,000 m2 (810,000 sq ft) of solar panels. By 2010, 10,700 m2 (115,000 sq ft) of solar panels were installed and by 2014 the target had been met. There are 50,000 m2 (540,000 sq ft) of solar panels expected to be installed by 2015. [7] Albania gets about 2100–2700 hours of sunshine in a year so it has a great potential for solar energy. [8] Solar energy is easily accessible since most energy comes directly or indirectly from the sun. It could be used for heating and lighting homes, commercial, and industrial buildings. [9]
In late 2023 the 140MW Karavasta solar power plant was completed, having taken Voltalia of France 15 months to build, it is the largest in Albania to date. A 100 MW solar power project called Spitalla in Durrës area is planned to be built next. [10]
Albania has enormous potential for electric energy from wind power. Notwithstanding the total licenses distributed throughout the country amounting to approximately 2548 MW with an energy generation potential around 5.7 TWh/year, yet no wind farm projects have been completed, and very few are currently in the pipeline in some way. [11] The coastal lowlands and Southern, Eastern, and Northern Albania mountains are excellent areas for wind turbines. The wind speed is 8–9 m/s in many areas of Albania. [7]
The first wind power auction took place in summer 2023 with three bidders awarded 222 MW capacity. [12]
Geothermal energy could also be used in Albania. It comes from warm water sources from underground soil. Geothermal energy comes from the heat generated by the Earth. There are some spots called hot spots that generate more heat than others. There are natural wells near Albania's border with Greece. This energy could be used for heating purposes. Geothermal energy in Albania is under study and there have been no attempts to use it yet. [2]
The Power Sector Law No.9073, approved in 2004, gives permits to construct new hydropower plants. [7]
The Concession Law No.9663, approved in 2006, attracts private investments in hydropower plants. [7]
Albania placed a tariff for existing and new hydropower plants in 2007. [7]
The Electricity Market Model was approved in 2008. It facilitates purchases between independent power producers and small power producers. It allows producers to sell electricity to all markets at agreed terms. Non-household customers can become eligible consumers and choose their energy suppliers. This helps renewable energy to be more accessible. [7]
The net capacity factor is the unitless ratio of actual electrical energy output over a given period of time to the theoretical maximum electrical energy output over that period. The theoretical maximum energy output of a given installation is defined as that due to its continuous operation at full nameplate capacity over the relevant period. The capacity factor can be calculated for any electricity producing installation, such as a fuel consuming power plant or one using renewable energy, such as wind, the sun or hydro-electric installations. The average capacity factor can also be defined for any class of such installations, and can be used to compare different types of electricity production.
Iceland is a world leader in renewable energy. 100% of the electricity in Iceland's electricity grid is produced from renewable resources. In terms of total energy supply, 85% of the total primary energy supply in Iceland is derived from domestically produced renewable energy sources. Geothermal energy provided about 65% of primary energy in 2016, the share of hydropower was 20%, and the share of fossil fuels was 15%.
For solar power, South Asia has the ideal combination of both high solar insolation and a high density of potential customers.
In Honduras, there is an important potential of untapped indigenous renewable energy resources. Due to the variability of high oil prices and declining renewable infrastructure costs, such resources could be developed at competitive prices.
Renewable Energy in Colombia is rapidly emerging as a pioneer in the clean energy transition, showcasing a remarkable commitment to climate action despite its status as a fossil fuel-producing nation. With a robust National Energy Plan extending to 2050, the country has set ambitious targets for diversifying its energy mix by incorporating wind, solar, and geothermal resources. The nation's resolve was further solidified at COP26 with the announcement of a net zero target and a Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) aiming for a 51% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. Significant investments in renewable energy infrastructure, particularly through long-term auctions for large-scale solar and wind projects, are transforming Colombia's energy landscape.
Renewable energy in Finland increased from 34% of the total final energy consumption (TFEC) in 2011 to 48% by the end of 2021, primarily driven by bioenergy (38%), hydroelectric power (6.1%), and wind energy (3.3%). In 2021, renewables covered 53% of heating and cooling, 39% of electricity generation, and 20% of the transport sector. By 2020, this growth positioned Finland as having the third highest share of renewables in TFEC among International Energy Agency (IEA) member countries.
Romania is the 38th largest energy consumer in the world and the largest in South Eastern Europe as well as an important producer of natural gas, oil and coal in Europe.
Energy in Croatia describes energy and electricity production, consumption and import in Croatia.
India is 5th globally for installed hydroelectric power capacity. As of 31 March 2020, India's installed utility-scale hydroelectric capacity was 46,000 MW, or 12.3% of its total utility power generation capacity. Additional smaller hydroelectric power units with a total capacity of 4,683 MW have been installed. India's hydroelectric power potential is estimated at 148,700 MW at 60% load factor. In the fiscal year 2019–20, the total hydroelectric power generated in India was 156 TWh with an average capacity factor of 38.71%.
Renewable energy in Russia mainly consists of hydroelectric energy. Russia is rich not only in oil, gas and coal, but also in wind, hydro, geothermal, biomass and solar energy – the resources of renewable energy. Practically all regions have at least one or two forms of renewable energy that are commercially exploitable, while some regions are rich in all forms of renewable energy resources. However, fossil fuels dominate Russia’s current energy mix, while its abundant and diverse renewable energy resources play little role.
Renewable energy has developed rapidly in Italy over the past decade and provided the country a means of diversifying from its historical dependency on imported fuels. Solar power accounted for around 8% of the total electric production in the country in 2014, making Italy the country with the highest contribution from solar energy in the world that year. Rapid growth in the deployment of solar, wind and bio energy in recent years lead to Italy producing over 40% of its electricity from renewable sources in 2014.
As of 2018, hydroelectric power stations in the United Kingdom accounted for 1.87 GW of installed electrical generating capacity, being 2.2% of the UK's total generating capacity and 4.2% of UK's renewable energy generating capacity. This includes four conventional hydroelectric power stations and run-of-river schemes for which annual electricity production is approximately 5,000 GWh, being about 1.3% of the UK's total electricity production. There are also four pumped-storage hydroelectric power stations providing a further 2.8 GW of installed electrical generating capacity, and contributing up to 4,075 GWh of peak demand electricity annually.
Energy in Serbia describes energy and electricity production, consumption and import in Serbia.
Most of Kenya's electricity is generated by renewable energy sources. Access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy is one of the 17 main goals of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Development of the energy sector is also critical to help Kenya achieve the goals in Kenya Vision 2030 to become a newly industrializing, middle-income country. With an installed power capacity of 2,819 MW, Kenya currently generates 826 MW hydroelectric power, 828 geothermal power, 749 MW thermal power, 331 MW wind power, and the rest from solar and biomass sources. Kenya is the largest geothermal energy producer in Africa and also has the largest wind farm on the continent. In March 2011, Kenya opened Africa's first carbon exchange to promote investments in renewable energy projects. Kenya has also been selected as a pilot country under the Scaling-Up Renewable Energy Programmes in Low Income Countries Programme to increase deployment of renewable energy solutions in low-income countries. Despite significant strides in renewable energy development, about a quarter of the Kenyan population still lacks access to electricity, necessitating policy changes to diversify the energy generation mix and promote public-private partnerships for financing renewable energy projects.
Renewable energy in Taiwan contributed to 8.7% of national electricity generation as of end of 2013. The total installed capacity of renewable energy in Taiwan by the end of 2013 was 3.76 GW.
In 2013, renewable energy provided 26.44% of the total electricity in the Philippines and 19,903 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electrical energy out of a total demand of 75,266 gigawatt-hours. The Philippines is a net importer of fossil fuels. For the sake of energy security, there is momentum to develop renewable energy sources. The types available include hydropower, geothermal power, wind power, solar power and biomass power. The government of the Philippines has legislated a number of policies in order to increase the use of renewable energy by the country.
Renewable energy in South Africa is energy generated in South Africa from renewable resources, those that naturally replenish themselves—such as sunlight, wind, tides, waves, rain, biomass, and geothermal heat. Renewable energy focuses on four core areas: electricity generation, air and water heating/cooling, transportation, and rural energy services. The energy sector in South Africa is an important component of global energy regimes due to the country's innovation and advances in renewable energy. South Africa's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is ranked as moderate and its per capita emission rate is higher than the global average. Energy demand within the country is expected to rise steadily and double by 2025.
In Ukraine, the share of renewables within the total energy mix is less than 5%. In 2020 10% of electricity was generated from renewables; made up of 5% hydro, 4% wind, and 1% solar. Biomass provides renewable heat.
By the end of 2016 Austria already fulfilled their EU Renewables Directive goal for the year 2020. By 2016 renewable energies accounted to 33.5% of the final energy consumption in all sectors. The renewable energy sector is also accountable for hosting 41,591 jobs and creating a revenue of 7,219 million euros in 2016.
California produces more renewable energy than any other state in the United States except Texas. In 2018, California ranked first in the nation as a producer of electricity from solar, geothermal, and biomass resources and fourth in the nation in conventional hydroelectric power generation. As of 2017, over half of the electricity (52.7%) produced was from renewable sources.
Media related to Renewable energy in Albania at Wikimedia Commons