Albania has taken an important step towards compliance with European Union standards in the field of energy efficiency, after submitting to the Energy Community Secretariat the Commitment Document for the decarbonization of the heating and cooling sector.

The heating and cooling sector accounts for about a third of the country's final energy consumption, while renewable sources currently cover only 22-23% of this demand. These data underline the large untapped potential and the central importance of this sector in the country's journey towards reducing emissions and transforming the energy system.

According to the Energy Community Secretariat, a number of clean technologies are economically advantageous and can accelerate the modernization of the sector. Solar panels are identified as the main option for the production of sanitary hot water, while their combination with heat pumps brings increased economic benefits. For space heating, heat pumps are mentioned as a highly efficient transition technology. On a large scale, biomass district heating systems or hybrid solutions combining panels and heat pumps are among the most cost-effective options for urban areas.

The submission of the assessment document creates the necessary analytical basis for long-term policy development, sector planning, and investment orientation. The Secretariat welcomed Albania’s commitment, noting that the document sends clear signals to development partners, financial institutions, and private investors regarding the opportunities the region offers for green projects in the heating and cooling sector.