Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama declared a state of emergency after a government meeting on Friday over energy supplies, triggered by skyrocketing energy prices in international markets.
The decision will enable the execution of a special plan to overcome the crisis, with more details to be announced on Saturday.
Rama compared the current situation as “similar to the pandemic crisis”, adding that the government plan will aim to protect consumers from the most vulnerable to large enterprises.
Experts forecast that the crisis will reach a peak by the middle of the next year, although prices will not go down to pre-crisis levels even after that, said the Albanian premier.
Earlier during the day, PM Rama asserted that the country will be affected by the crisis as it imports energy from abroad, and the price is fixed by the stock market.
“It is our duty to protect consumers according to a priority ladder, considering those that are more vulnerable first and then climbing to small enterprises and those who have a higher income, from the weakest to the strongest”.
The Albanian prime minister also responded to some citizens commenting on his profile, explaining that Albania mainly generates energy during humid weather, and sells the excess energy produced when there is a demand from the region. Meanwhile, the country buys energy in times of drought, which is why the price is higher as there is more demand.
“That is why we’re building Skavica, to have reserves. That’s why we’re converting the Vlora thermal power station with liquified gas to have an energy source that is planned, not dependent on God”, he said.
The Prime Minister also clarified the issue of salary increases, which as he said depends on the economic capacity of the country, adding that comparisons with the salaries from other countries are done as the price for energy on the stock exchange is the same.
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