The regime of the direct electricity lines in Albania

Part of Report: Energy Market and Investments Opportunities in Albania

Dr Lorenc Gordani | Sunday, August 16, 2015

Albania has given a new law on the electricity sector that aim a fully aligned with Directive 2009/72/EC dated 13 July 2009 "On common rules for the internal market in electricity”. In regard of the “Direct Line” it establish that it means either an electricity line linking an isolated generation site with an isolated customer inside or outside Albania, or an electricity line linking an isolated generation site with a customer outside of Albania, or an electricity line linking an electricity producer and an electricity supply undertaking to supply directly their own premises, subsidiaries and eligible customers.

The new Law on the Electricity Sector no. 43 of the 30th April 2015 recognise, in the article 33, all electricity producers and suppliers within a given territory may supply their facilities, branches and clients, via a direct line. No transmission or distribution license shall be required for the operation of a direct line state the article 34m par. 5.

In regard, the direct lines constructed for electricity export purposes by domestic producers to connect customers outside the country, are subject to Council of Ministers’ approval, after the given opinion from ERE. Instead, the direct lines constructed for the connection of e internal market by domestic producer to connect customers inside the country, or supply company which supplies its assets or eligible customers, as well as lines connected to the transmission system for maintenance purposes, are subject to responsible Ministry’s approval, after the opinion given from ERE.

However, all the criteria and the procedures for granting of authorizations for the construction of direct lines shall approve by the Council of Ministers. The Minister authorizes the construction of a direct line even in the case that applicant is refused access to the grid for cases defined in Article 29 of this law, or in case a procedure for dispute settlement has been initiated, as set forth under the Article 24 of this law.

Nerveless, the Minister may refuse to grant its authorization for the construction of a direct line if the granting of such authorization would obstruct the fulfilment of public service obligations and customer protection, defined by the provisions of the law. The explanations for such a refusal should be fully justifiable and are notified to the applicant.

Important is the remind that the possibility of supplying electricity through a direct line as referred above shall not limit the right of a customer to enter into electricity supplying agreements with another supplier of his choice. However the expenses for the construction and operation of direct lines shall be incurred by the holder of the authorization. As well as regarding the establishment, exercise and termination of the rights related to the construction and operation of direct lines encumbering third party property the provisions of the Civil Code shall be applied.

Regard the technical and safety standards in electricity sector: the technical rules for design, construction and operation of the direct lines, including the rules of technical safety, are developed by the ministry responsible for energy in cooperation with General Directory of Standardizations and are approved with the decision of the Council of Ministers. Design, construction and operation of the direct lines are presumed that meet the applicable technical requirements and criteria when they are in compliance with the respective harmonized Albanian standards (Article 34, par. 3).

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