TIRANA, ALBANIA     USAID Country Representative Catherine Johnson, Prime Minister Edi Rama, and Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Damian Gjiknuri presented Albania's new National Energy Strategy 2018-2030.  The strategy was drafted with the support of international donors, including USAID. Gjiknuri highlighted reform measures implemented since 2013, saying they have significantly improved the financial viability of Albania's public power utilities.  He said the rate of technical and non-technical power losses fell to 26% in 2017, compared with 45% in 2013. According to Gjiknuri, electricity bill collections have increased by 70% since 2013, to $600 million.  The new national strategy aims to align Albania's energy market with EU rules and directives in a bid to advance the country's EU integration prospects and to improve Albania's energy independence. 

Since 2013, USAID has provided support to the Government of Albania to develop Albania’s National Energy Strategy for 2017-2030 which sees for the first time comprehensive and integrated approach to meeting Albania's future energy demand with the country's goals for sustainable growth, fully integrates Albania within regional energy strategies, and takes into consideration Albania's commitments towards regional and international agreements and conventions.