Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, Belinda Balluku called on citizens to apply for the installation of solar panels for water heating, which will be subsidized by 70% by the government.

According to Balluku, the first call was successful and about 1,980 families across the country have solar panels for water heating installed in their homes, subsidized by 70% of the state budget. “The second call has already been opened, this measure reduces electricity bill for families by 20-30%,” she declared.

Balluku said that both the application and the installation of the panel in the home is a simple process. The second call for applications from entities wishing to provide installation services and solar panels for 2,000 families opened on February 4, while on the 24th, applications will open for family subscribers who wish to be equipped with these solar panels.

2,000 units are available for use in this second package, which means that 2,000 families will be able to benefit.

Furthermore, Balluku stated that the level of technical losses in the electricity network at the end of 2024 dropped to 17%, while the goal is to go down to 16%.

During the inspection of the works for the repair and strengthening of the Tirana 1 electrical substation, near the Zogu i Zi area in the capital, Balluku announced that the strengthening, repair, and construction of a series of substations and electrical lines serve not only to improve energy supply but also to reduce the level of technical losses.

“The year 2024 marked a record in terms of technical loss reductions, which reached 17% and we have set a target to reduce them to 16% next year,” she said.

Balluku noted that despite the earthquake, the pandemic, and a freeze that was imposed at the time on the reduction of technical losses, for three years now it has been moving very quickly, to reach the levels that are foreseen in the National Strategy for Energy Sustainability in the country.

“All substations that are being strengthened, repaired or built new, undoubtedly contribute to increasing the quality of energy distribution service provision,” Balluku declared.

She brought to attention that from the beginning of this month, the price of electricity for household consumers decreased by 10.5% for all those who will consume up to 700 kilowatt-hours.