A National Energy Efficiency Action Plan  is steadily expanding to include more and more cities across Albania, including Durrës, Peshkopi, Elbasan, Korça, Vlora, Orikum and Shëngjin, where work is steam full ahead on regeneration of the residential buildings by installing exterior insulation systems, thermo and hydro insulation systems, and by removing the water tanks from the rooftop of buildings, in a bid to reduce the energy consumption by around 30% and ease pressure and the power grid load.

Prime Minister Edi Rama today visited Berat, a UNESCO World Heritage site, to closely inspect the ongoing work to insulate the exterior walls of 17 residential buildings in one of the neighbourhoods of the museum city. The government head was accompanied by the Mayor of Berat Ervin Demo.

“The project’s progress is dedicated to the Albanian Development Fund Programme. What matters most is that the project has a direct impact on the local residents as it directly affects the energy efficiency, especially at the tough times were are currently through. The project will not only provide a completely different and fresh look to the city, but it will also help local residents save significantly as the insulation systems help save energy. It is really an incredible project as it is restoring hope and reviving the darkest and forgotten corners of the city and it will revive the area. Around 17 apartment buildings are being insulated with the thermo-insulation systems in this initial phase of the project. The school building has been also included in the project and it is really about a residential block with high density and with high rise buildings. Given the current rate of work we expect the project to complete within November,” Berat Mayor said.

On his part, the Director of the Albanian Development Fund Dritan Agolli noted that the programme is being expanded throughout Albania.  

“The programme kicked off initially in the country’s main cities. As we speak, work as part of the Energy Efficiency Plan is already underway in the cities of Durrës, Peshkopi, Elbasan, Korça, and Vlora, and in the meantime we are mulling plans to begin work in the coastal towns of Shengjin and Orikum, in an effort to increase energy efficiency,” Agolli said.