Municipalities in Albania fail to implement the energy efficiency law

Three years after the new law on energy efficiency came into force, the results are worrying: only four municipalities have adopted mandatory energy saving plans, while others remain unprepared. With profound environmental and financial implications, experts warn that a lack of action by local governments could harm the well-being of citizens and Albania's EU integration goals.

Ola Miter – All Green Centre

In 2021, changes in the energy efficiency law forced all municipalities in Albania to draw up a Local Energy Efficiency Action Plan (LEAP) to reduce energy consumption at the local level. However, only four municipalities have fulfilled this obligation, while most local institutions have not yet adopted a strategy to meet legal and environmental objectives.

The main problems identified:

Law enforcement progress: After more than three years since the entry into force of the law, only the municipalities of Roskovec, Berat, Përmet and Shkodër have approved their PVVEE. Tirana, Durres, Vlora, and many other municipalities have not taken concrete steps to draw up such a plan.
Lack of knowledge and capacities: Many local government units show a lack of knowledge on the obligations provided by the law, while some others justify the lack of plans with the lack of financial and human resources.
Expert reviews: Experts such as Fiona Imami and Klodian Muço note that the lack of these plans harms national efforts to achieve the objectives set within the Integrated Energy and Climate Plan and the Green Agenda. They add that citizens are the ones who suffer the most from this lack of implementation, since energy efficiency is directly related to their well-being and health.
Benefits of energy efficiency: The design and implementation of PVVEE would allow reducing energy consumption and costs, while improving the environment and public health. Municipalities, instead of investing in new energy production, should focus on improving efficiency through thermal insulation, LED lamps, and other advanced technologies.

Albanian municipalities have an important responsibility in fulfilling the country's objectives in the field of energy and climate. Experts ask municipalities to fulfill their legal obligations and contribute to the well-being of citizens and the achievement of European environmental standards.

Read the full article on the research https://ina.media/2024/11/14/bashkite-deshtojne-ne-ligjin-e-eficiences-se-energjise/