Security Of The Energy Sector In Albania In The Face Of Climate Change

Abstract

Recent studies carried out in the field of climate change for Albania show that climate change will affect Albania with less precipitation, an increase in temperature and a rise in sea level. More specifically, the impact of climate change is found to be significant on water resources and, in turn, on Albania's power sector which is more than 90% dependent on hydropower and, consequently, upon climate conditions. Despite all of this, the existing policy and strategic documents for the power sector do not address climate risk. There is a significant need for the country and, specifically, for the policy and decision makers of the power sector to address this issue in terms of energy security for Albania. An analysis of the Mati River Catchment Area (MRCA) as the pilot area for study, shows a high risk of reduction of the river flow which in turn results in the reduction of power generation from the hydropower plants. Urgent response measures are needed to address this finding. The paper goes on to propose a set of interventions which include a combination of alternative options such as maximizing the share of hydropower potential in the face of current and future vulnerabilities and filling the remaining gap through other alternative sources.