Albania is forced to meet up to 80 % of its electricity demand from import because it is highly dependent on production from hydropower plants and the severe drought has caused water levels to drop significantly. At the same time, electricity consumption has increased in the past two months due to heat wave.
In order to meet the demand Albanian Power Corporation (KESH) will import 434,000 MWh of electricity in August, for which it will spend about 29.9 million euros. The country produces almost 100 % of its electricity at HPPs, majority of which is produced at three HPPs on the Drin river: 600 MW HPP Koman, 500 MW HPP Fierza and 250 MW Vau te Dejes. The water level at HPP Fierza has dropped below the minimum and the plant is operating at minimum capacity, while the situation is similar with the other two HPPs.
In July, Albania imported 285,000 MWh of electricity which cost about 18 million euros. According to the estimate from KESH, the country will continue to import electricity in September.
