Albania ranks second for the highest energy prices in the Region after Montenegro, according to a recent EUROSTAT publication on the progress of energy and gas prices for household consumers in the first half of 2021. 

Data from the EUROSTAT database, illustrated in the attached graph, show that the price of electricity for one kilowatt/hour, including all taxes, was 0.093 euros in the first 6 months of 2021. Only Montenegro had a higher level than Albania, with 0.097 euros per kilowatt/hour. 

Citizens of Kosovo have the cheapest price in the Region, with 0.060 euro per kilowatt/hour. In Bosnia, citizens pay 0.086 euros per kilowatt/hour, in Serbia 0.081 euros per kilowatt/hour. 

Eurostat explained that energy prices have changed significantly in 2022, but in many European countries, the price for household consumers has fallen due to the subsidy policies that governments have applied. 

Energy prices for households during 2022 increased in 22 EU member states in the first half of 2022, compared to the first half of 2021. The largest increase (expressed in national currencies) was recorded in the Czech Republic (+ 62% ), ahead of Latvia (+59%) and Denmark (+57%). 

The data show reductions in electricity prices for households among the Member States: the Netherlands (-54%), Slovenia (-16%), Poland (-3%), Portugal and Hungary (both -1%). The reductions in the Netherlands, Slovenia and Poland were linked to government subsidies and supplements, while in Hungary, prices are regulated. 

In the Balkan Region, in general, prices have not changed in 2022. 

Expressed in euros, average electricity prices in the first half of 2022 were the lowest in the Netherlands (€5.9 per 100 kwh), Hungary (€9.5) and Bulgaria (€10.9) and the highest the highest in Denmark (€45.6), Belgium (€33.8), Germany (€32.8) and Italy (€31.2). 

In Albania, energy prices for household consumers may increase further this year if the government applies charging over two thresholds, where consumption over 800 kilowatts per month will be charged at a market price of almost 45 euros per kilowatt hour, 4-5 times the current level. 

Albania has sufficient resources to be a net exporter of energy due to its geographical position with many rivers, sun and wind. The potentials to develop renewable energy production are high, but the government's policies in this direction are moving slowly, more bureaucracy.

(Source: Monitor)