The project for the Tropojë Wind Renewable Energy Park (600 MW) was presented today, representing a highly significant development on Albania’s path towards energy sovereignty. The investment is being delivered by the American company CWP, a leading renewable energy player in Southeastern Europe.

The project, whose presentation was attended by Prime Minister Edi Rama, together with other projects of this kind, has a direct impact on Albania’s energy sector. It contributes to increasing domestic energy production, reducing dependence on imports, particularly in dry years, improving national energy security, and at the same time creating new jobs that increase income and strengthen the local economy.

In his remarks, Prime Minister Rama stated that this investment is another step towards meeting Albania’s major strategic objective of becoming sovereign in energy production, and that Albania is the right country for investors seeking a launching point for major investments that go beyond national borders.

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Prime Minister Edi Rama:

Good afternoon, everyone. I am very pleased that today we are finalizing an effort of almost two years, a joint effort with a well-known company throughout the entire preparatory process, which in fact is shorter than the construction process itself. We hope everything proceeds as it should and that, within 12 months, excluding the period of the harsh winter, this large wind energy park in Tropojë will be connected to the national grid as part of our renewable energy production system.

Considering the company’s experience and its successful track record, as you also saw on the map of its presence across Europe, where it expanded into several countries before arriving in Albania, I am very confident that we will not only gain a new and powerful renewable energy source, but also new knowledge, as well as added value in terms of work culture and operational standards in a sector as strategic as energy.

This investment also advances us along the strategic path towards achieving the major objective of making Albania sovereign in energy production.

For a long time, we had complete dependence on water and rainfall. At the same time, we inherited a system with so many weaknesses that, when rainfall was lacking, we had to go to international markets and purchase large quantities at inflated prices. Meanwhile, when rainfall came in abundance, we often saw much of this potential value, water, go to waste and not only fail to be converted into energy, but at times also cause extraordinary damage.

The time when Albania must go to the market to buy energy is approaching its end. We will be among the relatively few countries that enjoy full independence when it comes to producing this vital resource for the functioning of a state. This is the result not only of investments made over these years, but of a vision, a program, and consistent daily effort in the right direction by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy and all its teams.

Today, what until yesterday were open wounds in the body of the Albanian state, the enterprises of the electricity sector, are now at the forefront in terms of administration and proper functioning.

Today we have a portfolio that has begun to diversify, in other words, to become balanced. Water will of course remain the main production source, but solar and wind energy have begun to take their place. By the end of this decade, in “Albania 2030”, this share will reach 30 per cent. With this 30 per cent, we will have full assurance that our system will be self-sufficient, and everything we produce beyond our needs will be exported. That means no more money leaving the country to buy energy, but energy sold abroad to generate more income for the economy, for families, and for the future of our country.

At the same time, we have established a highly credible process. The energy sector is a sector of open international competition, with the large-scale presence of companies of undisputed international reputation participating in these tenders. I am extremely pleased to emphasize that, at a time in our history when the word “corruption” has become like fashionable shoes if someone does not mention it, it is as if they are not in fashion precisely in this sector the word has received a systematic and continuous answer. There is not a single serious company that has taken part in these competitions that has expressed even the slightest reservation regarding the integrity of the tenders and the stable, consolidated processes in this sector.

I believe the same testimony can easily be given by our American guests here from the private sector, together with others, because not only have they encountered no obstacles of this kind in Tirana, but on the contrary, they have had the government at their side at every step, including in overcoming absurd bureaucratic barriers at local level. This is understandable, I believe, for a small municipality that is entirely unaccustomed to projects of the scale of such a “big bear” as CWP entering its territory, and therefore may have had hesitation, reluctance, reservations, and so on. But today we are here. We have overcome obstacles and, most importantly, the company has had full assurance from us that this process would come to an end. It has not wasted time but has prepared all implementation projects.

I would also like to emphasize something else that is important: the company made a strong impression on us with its environmental sensitivity and with its sense of social responsibility. This includes both care for environmental balance and attention to supporting the community and local development, through involvement in investments such as rural roads and beyond. This company has truly earned a deserved place in our respect, and I am very grateful.

Finally, I want to say that Albania today is on a completely different level and is a completely different Albania. I do not believe that a decade ago anyone could have imagined that Albania would become a party together with the United Arab Emirates and Italy to build trilateral cooperation in support of energy in Europe, not only in Albania.

As regards energy in Albania, given what we already have in process and with around a further 1,500 MW under construction and in the licensing process, our domestic needs and our energy sovereignty are guaranteed. But we are more ambitious than that. When I speak of energy in Europe, I mean increasing capacity here in Albania so that, on the one hand, we contribute to Europe’s energy security, and on the other hand, we also generate revenue for the Republic of Albania, just like others do, not merely better tax collection and then spending taxes to buy energy abroad, as happened for many years.

Thanks to this trilateral partnership we will also have another major advantage. My respected predecessor spoke earlier about the comparison and Albania’s advantage, for example in relation to Serbia, which has a larger economy and a market with significant and serious investments. When he said that precisely because we are 100 per cent green in energy production, we do not carry the burden of paying the carbon tax of the past, which in Serbia is very heavy. This is why the company, and companies view Albania with great interest.

Returning to the trilateral partnership with the UAE and Italy, the reason why Italy and the UAE are focused on this partnership with us is not because I wear white trainers, but because Albania has this advantage: it produces and sells clean energy, whose value in Europe’s energy portfolio is far higher compared to energy generated from fossil sources.

Thank you very much for the work you have done. Without question, we will support you until the end, and I sincerely hope you keep your word on deadlines, in your interest and in ours.

And one small correction to the head chief: when he said Albania is a small market. Albania is a small market, but Albania is a point of great strategic capacity, because, as we all know, you will produce wind energy here and export it. So, your market is Europe, isn’t it? Because if Albania were not potentially so important, the Chinese, the oldest civilization and undoubtedly the most formidable traders, would not have set their sights on Albania and would not consider Albania.

So, drawing on China’s millennia-old wisdom and on America’s experience and hunger for profit, we are exactly the right place, at the right time, for you and for all others who must come here, into this small market, to access the large market beyond the borders of this small country.

Thank you very much.