The global crisis and the increase in the price of electricity have increased the need for the Kosovo-Albania energy union to achieve a functional and liquid market.

The Institute for Development Policy (INDEP) has held a conference to present the paper "Kosovo-Albania Energy Union, Challenges and Opportunities".

Dardan Abazi, Program Director and Senior Researcher at INDEP, said the merger of electricity markets will contribute to expanding security of electricity supply and increasing competition in the market.

According to him, this will also have an impact on energy prices, but will also boost energy efficiency.

"We do not see national unity as a patriotic term but as a value for EU integration, a value of the union. Where not only transmission markets but also policies will be common. National unification is an important step in realizing energy tension. "We call on him to announce a date for the energy union, and perhaps to convene a meeting of the two governments."

Liron Gjocaj, research assistant at INDEP, said that he has conducted interviews with many competent persons who have influence in this field.

"Unity is not a desire, but a need for the integration of efficient resources and the increase of energy security. We are convinced that this would phased in the return of green energy and is a necessary step.

The merger may have lower operating costs and does not impede other energy processes in the region. "It is difficult that such processes are not carried out within months, but with work from both sides it can be achieved."

He says a joint strategy should be reached between the two countries.

"We recommend that a joint strategy be reached between the two countries, that other markets, such as the Nordic one, be pursued, that staff be trained and that there be greater cooperation than now."

Last week, the Energy Regulatory Office (ERO), the Albanian Energy Regulatory Authority (ERE), and the transmission system operators of Albania and Kosovo (OST and KOSTT) signed the Framework Agreement for the cooperation of electricity markets.

The agreement sets out the rights, obligations and necessary steps that the signatory parties must take to cooperate in relation to the organization of the common electricity markets.

The merger of electricity markets will contribute to enhancing the security of electricity supply and increasing competition in electricity markets as well as maintaining and expanding a fairly priced market.

(Source: Monitor)