The governments of Albania, North Macedonia, and Serbia will establish a working group to tackle the current energy crisis and to set up joint strategic projects between the three countries, which are all part of the Open Balkan initiative.
At the initiative’s last meet in Ohrid, leaders was decided to establish a group between the energy ministers of each country. The group will also review proposals for joint investments in renewable energy and electricity and gas market integration.
Belinda Balluku, Albania’s Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, Kreshnik Bekteshi, North Macedonia’s Minister of Economy, and Zorana Mihajlović, Serbia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Mining and Energy finalized the agreement in Tirana.
Out of the three countries, Albania produces the most renewable energy, although most of it is hydropower, which is not considered sustainable in the long-term. Over the last 18 months, Albania has announced a raft of natural gas and solar projects and its first wind power project.
Serbia, mainly fossil fuel reliant, is interested in connecting to Albania’s LNG terminal planned for Vlora and is also keen to develop a high-voltage interconnector in the region.
North Macedonia is interested in gas and plans to sign an MoU with Serbia on constructing a gas interconnector. The country has also formed a working group for gas interconnection with Albania.
