Recent developments have prompted the Albanian Government to reevaluate its priority development projects. These changes include the liquefied natural gas terminal project in Vlora and the commencement of gasification initiatives in Korça.
These priorities were previously outlined in key documents associated with the 2016 gasification masterplan. Additionally, the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) has undergone alterations following a Government decision.
Specifically, a Government decision dated October 4 eliminated a clause related to TAP AG’s obligation to construct an exit point in Albania with a minimum capacity of 0.3 billion cubic meters per year. Instead, it was specified that the exit point in Fier would have dual directions. The revised paragraph in the masterplan for identifying priority projects states that “TAP AG will construct and operate the TAP gas pipeline”.
Albania, Greece, and Italy have entered into an intergovernmental agreement on TAP. According to a joint decision by the energy regulatory authorities of Italy, Albania, and Greece in June 2013, TAP AG is required to build at least one exit point with bidirectional capacity in Albania, located in Fier, with a capacity ranging from 2 to 10 million cubic meters per day (equivalent to 0.73 to 3.65 billion cubic meters per year). In addition to Fier, discussions are ongoing regarding a second exit point in the Kuçova area.
Maximum allowable pressure has also seen a doubling under the Government’s decision. Previously, the document stipulated a Maximum Allowable Pressure of 82 bar for IAP sections and 50 bar for the remainder of the transmission system in Albania, with a similar 50 bar limit for the transmission system in Albania when the IAP was not in operation.
The recent change has increased the maximum allowable pressure to 82 bar for IAP sections and up to 100 bar for the rest of the transmission system in Albania, as well as up to 100 bar for the Albanian transmission system in the absence of the IAP.
The Government has also revised the priority projects, classifying them into short-term and medium-term categories. In the past, the short-term focus included the TAP gas pipeline to the Vlora Thermal Power Plant and the potential development of the gas distribution system in Vlora. Additionally, it aimed to develop the transmission system to serve consumers in Fier and Ballsh, with potential local gas distribution systems in the Fier and Ballsh regions.
Now, a new priority has been added to the list in the Government’s decision, emphasizing the development of the exit point and distribution network in the Municipality of Korça.
Regarding medium-term plans, the document outlines the development of the transmission system primarily for supplying industrial zones in Elbasan. It also covers the creation of natural gas storage facilities in Dumre, alongside the development of the transmission system to serve industrial and commercial consumers in the Durrës and Tirana areas. Moreover, the development of the liquefied natural gas distribution network is now part of this group of priorities.
