Albania - Energy and power



Albania has both thermal and hydroelectric power stations to generate electricity, but the latter are more significant and have the greater potential. Total power production increased from 85 million kWh in 1955 to 578 million kWh in 1967, and to 4.9 billion kWh in 1985. In 2000, net electricity generation was 4.7 billion kWh, of which 3% came from fossil fuels, 97% from hydropower, and none from other sources. In the same year, consumption of electricity totaled 5.4 billion kWh. Total installed capacity at the beginning of 2001 was 1.7 million kW, more than double the amount in 1990. Rural electrification was achieved in 1970.

The 24,000-kW Shkopet plant and the 27,000-kW Bistricë plant became operational in 1962. A 100,000 kW thermal plant at Fier went into operation in 1968, and the Mao Zedong hydroelectric plant was completed in 1971. The "Light of the Party" hydroelectric plant on the Drin River, with a total installed capacity of 500,000 kW, began operations in 1978. The seventh five-year plan (1981–85) provided for construction of a hydropower station at Koman, also on the Drin, with a capacity of 600,000 kW; the first two turbines were installed there by early 1986.

Petroleum production has become significant. Crude oil output rose from 108,000 tons in 1938 to 870,000 tons in 1967, and 3.5 million tons in 1985. In 1998, production totaled 6,000 barrels per day. Oil refineries are located at Ballsh, Stalin, Fier, and Çerrik. In 1995, Albania also produced 100 million cu m (3.53 billion cu ft) of natural gas. Sizable coal deposits were discovered near Tiranë in 1969.

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