Faced with an emerging energy crisis driven by increasing fuel prices, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama addressed the public, on Sunday afternoon, to control public reaction.
He blamed the world developments on the sharp increases of gas and petrol prices and warned that increases are expected to continue and might reach record highs.
Rama said that the energy crisis might bring about “shocking consequences” and Albanians should be prepared for a difficult winter. Even though there is no threat to human lives, he warned that the socially and economically the crisis will be similar to that brought by the covid pandemic and the 2019 earthquake in Albania.
Albania has seen 10-15 percent increase in petrol prices and more than 20 per cent increase in gas prices, during last couple of weeks.
Albania imports all the fuel it consumes. The country produces more than 1 million tonnes of crude oil annually, but it is entirely exported, due to lack of refining capacities in the country. Despite continues government efforts to improve their technology, two existing refining plants they remain shut since two years.
