Albania leads in renewables with 100% green electricity
Albania is one of two European countries that derives all its electricity from renewable sources. According to data from the International Energy Agency, it generates 98% of its electricity from water resources, with the remaining 2% coming from photovoltaic installations. There are only seven such nations worldwide.
Albania's success in utilizing renewable sources is a combination of natural conditions, primarily its numerous rivers, and the government's strategic policies. Albanians aim to obtain 54.4% of their total gross energy consumption from renewable sources by 2030. While 100% of the electricity comes from renewables, it currently accounts for only 28% of the country's overall energy mix.
100% of electricity from renewables. Only seven such countries in the world
Sixty-nine countries worldwide produce more than half of their electricity from renewable energy sources, and only seven derive 100% of it from these sources, according to a report by RatedPower, a company focused on renewable energy technology. Besides Albania, these countries are:
- Iceland,
- Bhutan,
- Nepal,
- Paraguay,
- Ethiopia,
- Democratic Republic of the Congo.
What did Albania do to reach this level? They started with legislation. Legislative changes allowed the mobilization of funds for projects related to energy efficiency and the development of renewables by households and the private sector.
Albania wants more energy from wind
The current renewable energy law aims to facilitate using renewable energy resources by establishing more small hydropower plants, solar collectors for hot water, photovoltaic power plants, and biomass heating systems.
Albania strives to diversify its energy sources beyond hydropower. The country is particularly focused on adding wind energy to its energy mix.
Albania has significant solar and wind energy production potential, benefiting from a favorable geographical location, climatic conditions, and high solar radiation levels. Advocates for such diversification point out that hydropower is highly dependent on climate changes. Secondly, the development of hydropower plants in the country has sparked numerous controversies, given their impact on the natural environment.
