Albania has received 72 million euros from the European Union, after EU promised to help it get out of the electricity crisis. This amount is 90% of the grant promised in the first package, which means that another 8 million euros remain.

The announcement was made by the European Commission, which has made the same distribution in the other 5 states of the region, disbursing so far 450 out of 500 million euros.

The measures, as outlined in national action plans by Western Balkan governments, include for Albania subsidizing energy prices for households and small and medium-sized businesses, financial assistance for needy households and new investments in wind and solar energy.

“This transfer of funds in the amount of 450 million for the entire region, the first part of the Energy Support Package, was drawn up based on the specific action plans of the partners of the Western Balkans”, announces the European Commission.

500 million euros is only half of the grant that the EU has promised for the Balkans, as next year another 500 million euros will be allocated for renewable energy, gas and electricity projects, interconnectors, improvement of central heating and renewal of infrastructure old blocks of flats, hospitals and public buildings.

The package of 1 billion euros will help Albania to reduce its dependence on Russian energy and fossil energy produced in some of the neighboring countries.