Albania and the United States of America signed on Friday a memorandum of cooperation through the Albania’s Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy and US companies Exxon Mobil and Excelerate Energy for the import of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from America in Albania. 

The agreement includes the revival of the idled Vlora thermal power plant (TPP) by feeding it with gas, the construction of a new gasification terminal and the distribution of LNG, transforming Vlora into a regional HUB for liquefied gas. In his speech at the online ceremony, Prime Minister Edi Rama described the agreement as “a fantastic development for the Albanian energy sector and a significant success for the Albanian-American relations.” 

PM Rama said that the development of the project with industry leaders such as Exxon Mobil and Excelerate Energy and the cooperation with the US and the US Department of Energy to make this project a reality is an important step forward for Albania. “I strongly believe that in this journey towards the future we will be able to turn Albania into a net exporter of energy within 2030,” Rama highlighted. Further, Rama stressed that "this is the second major project signed only in the last few months between the US and Albania after the one for the construction of the largest hydropower plant in 50 years, the Skavica HPP.” 

The head of government said that "the conversion of the Vlora TPP from oil to gas and the final commissioning of the power plant is an extraordinary step.” On the other hand, the US welcomed the agreement and called it the first steps towards resuming and expanding operations at the Vlora TPP. Also present, US Ambassador Yuri Kim described the agreement as fruitful and for which “we have worked for years." “The signing of the agreement is truly extraordinary, and as you know, the US has supported the unique role of NATO ally Albania in developing security, including its energy security," Kim said. In a letter sent to the Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, Belinda Balluku, Acting Assistant Secretary of European and Eurasian Affairs Philip Reeker emphasized that this partnership will significantly contribute to the energy independence of Albania and turn Vlora and the country into an energy center. According to the letter, the US strongly supports Albania in advancing energy security. “The structure in Vlora will mark an important step forward towards expanding Europe's access to diverse and sustainable energy sources. A secure Europe in its energy resources is a strong partner in achieving our common goals in the region and around the world," the letter said. Furthermore, Reeker said that "your efforts to sign the agreement have been significant and personally, I appreciate your vision and desire to work with important American firms for this project."