To create a more efficient energy ecosystem, USAID supported Albania and Kosovo to establish the Albania Power Exchange (ALPEX), a joint power exchange company that allows both countries to trade electricity and integrate electricity markets. This regional integration launched this February is the first of its kind in the Western Balkans and represents a major milestone in the reform of Kosovo’s energy sector.
By offering a transparent trading platform to buy and sell electricity, ALPEX is creating a larger energy market with more buyers and sellers competing for the sale of energy at the lowest price. Speaking at the launch ceremony on March 4, USAID/Kosovo Mission Director noted that ALPEX “provides an opportunity to bolster energy security and sustainability and catalyze economic growth.”
USAID played a crucial role in advancing this market integration initiative, providing support on various aspects like regulatory approvals and trading strategies. The launch also required constant collaboration between local and regional partners and institutions like Kosovo’s Transmission System and Market Operator, Energy Regulatory Office, and Ministry of Economy, as well as Albania’s Transmission System Operator, Energy Regulatory Authority, and Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure.
Since ALPEX meets EU standards, this enterprise positions Kosovo and Albania as key players in the broader European energy market. USAID continues to provide support for additional regional integration and aims to help both countries unlock economies of scale and create a more efficient mix of technologies.
Tetra Tech for USAIDKosovo