Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama is on an official visit to Abu Dhabi, where he announced plans to finalize a trilateral agreement for an underwater energy connection between Albania and Italy.
Through a message on social media, Rama emphasized that the agreement represents a significant milestone in Albania’s journey toward energy independence.
Key Highlights from Rama’s Statement
- The trilateral agreement, involving Albania, Italy, and the United Arab Emirates, aims to establish an underwater energy connection while boosting solar energy production in Albania.
- The project will be jointly owned and supported by substantial investments to enhance Albania’s energy production capacity.
- Rama highlighted Albania’s ambition to not only achieve energy self-sufficiency but also to become an energy exporter to the European Union.
“Greetings from Abu Dhabi. We are about to place another milestone on our path to energy independence. Together with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, at the invitation of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, we are finalizing the trilateral agreement for the underwater energy connection between Albania and Italy. This initiative will also strengthen solar energy production in Albania,” Rama stated.
Advancing Solar Energy and Cost Reduction
Albania has made significant progress in solar energy, with self-production increasing from 0% to nearly 10% of the country’s energy output. Rama revealed plans to raise this figure to 30% by the end of his government’s fourth term.
During the European energy crisis of 2022–2023, Albania maintained stable electricity prices, avoiding increases seen across the region. Starting February 1, Albania will reduce electricity prices by 10.5%, becoming the only European country to lower energy costs in the current period. This measure is expected to save Albanian citizens €31 million annually.
Broader Implications
The agreement aligns with Albania’s goal of energy independence and its ambition to strengthen its role as a regional energy exporter. The collaboration with Italy and the UAE reflects Albania’s growing integration into the European energy market.
