Albania is working intensively to increase energy production capacity, not only to cope with the crisis that has put the whole world in difficulty, but also to realize the strategic plan of sovereign and net energy exporting Albania.

Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, at the same time Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, together with US Ambassador Yuri Kim visited on Monday the floating power plants located in Vlora.

The two power ships area owned by the American company "Excelerate Power".

During the visit, Deputy PM Balluku said that thanks to the two production ships, about 60% of the money will be saved from what would have been imported for the missing energy. She stated that in 2023 each megawatt/hour will cost Euro 529, while the energy production in these ships will be approximately half of this amount.

"Production will reach 114 megawatts or 15% of Albania's electricity needs. The annual amount is calculated at 867 gigawatts. We have placed them in the Petrolifera area until they are ready to start work, then they will be transferred to the Triport area," said Balluku.

Responding to the recent political debate in the country about the two ships, Balluku stated that their operating parameters are according to international standards. "Today and for the next two years until we have US liquefied natural gas at Triport, these floating vessels will operate on oil used for power generation by such production units. Our intention is to convert these two floating power vessels into production vessels through LNG. From the preliminary agreement with "Excelerate Power" at the end of the 2-year period, KESH will own both ships. These are important assets for the energy security of the country, which KESH can rent out in other countries, producing income for the company," said Balluku.

According to the Deputy PM, the environmental parameters are optimal and at the lowest limits in terms of the area they will operate and in terms of emissions are in full compliance.

Deputy Prime Minister Balluku also stated that it would be impossible for Albania to have a generating unit of 114 megawatts without the commitment of the ambassador Kim and the company itself.

"From all the data we have, one megawatt for 2023 will cost Euro 529 on average. The cost of a megawatt from these units, depending on the cost of oil, will be up to Euro 170-200, that is, less than half of what will be traded on the stock exchange,” declared Balluku.

On the other hand, Ambassador Kim said that 150-200 thousand Albanian families will benefit only thanks to the production of electricity from these two floating ships for energy production.

"They don't look pretty, but it's important that they work. I was looking at the stats, if this works properly it should produce at least 114 megawatts. This can at least meet 12-15% of the country's electricity needs. In average terms, it means up to 150-200 thousand houses. We will continue to work closely to ensure that Albania has the energy it needs at this time," said Ambassador Kim.