Opposition leader Lulzim Basha presented today the program of the Democratic Party for Energy.
During his speech, Basha said that the DP will liberalize the energy market, while adding that the key commitment will remain the establishment of the energy exchange.
Another point that Basha addressed was the unification of energy markets with Kosovo, while emphasizing: “Albania is a center for the supply throughout Balkans.”
Basha’s full speech:
Dear parent and heads of the family, When was the last time you asked yourself: why is the electricity bill so expensive to me? I’m sure this question bothers you every month. This question afflicts most Albanian families. And do you know why? Because the price of electricity in Albania is very high.
What about the question “why are the roads of Albania in such a bad condition” when you last asked it? Why do our cities flood every winter? Why do some announced snowfalls paralyze all our national axes? I’m sure we all know the answer. Everyone already knows that Albania has stuck in the same place with Rama these 8 years, so we have no progress in any direction: neither in the economy, nor in health, nor in tourism, nor in integration.
Albania can not remain in the same place with Rama for another 4 years. The time has come to change because those who left this place in the mud can not lead it to success. During Rama’s 8 years of failure, we were told that the price of electricity could not go down. But here it is possible! And it depends only on us. If we want to change, we must get rid of Rama and lower prices.
So we have been working for months on an efficient work plan, which will lead to lower energy prices and improve the economic situation in Albania. Today I am happy to introduce you to some of the highlights of this plan. Let’s start with electricity. The essence is to create competition, which will lead to lower prices. For this plan, too, we stand by the principle: if we do not implement it, we will not seek another term. Here are the main points of our plan Albania Gains Electricity:
-We will reduce the electricity bill for 70% of Albanian households by setting up a two-band billing system and reducing the price of energy for those who consume up to 300 kv / hour per month.
-We will liberalize the electricity market, giving consumers the oppurtunity to choose which operator to buy energy. In view of this, our key commitment is to set up an electricity exchange. The business will be supplied cheaper and better, thus increasing its competitiveness and opportunities to generate employment.
-We will eliminate portable generators from circulation because it is a scandal for the Albanian economy that in 2021, as we heard from the World Bank data, almost half of the businesses declare that they use the generator for supply.
-Investments in the distribution network will go where they should, and not in the pockets of corrupt administrators. We will turn public companies into economically viable, with the main focus on the good administration of OSHE.
-I am committed to merging energy markets with Kosovo by combining generation from TPPs in Kosovo for basic electricity while that produced in Albania will be used to meet demand at peak times.
-The days of trampling and corrupt payments required of investors and entrepreneurship by this administration will end. We will reduce the price and increase the quality of fuel for the citizens, through fiscal policies, where I single out the abolition of the Rama tax of ALL 24 per liter of fuel and opening the market and dismantling and dismantling the monopolies that exist today. Not only will you save money, but Albania will also be greener, healthier and cleaner.
-We will increase the security of energy supply in the country, through investments in green and clean energy sources: Albania will benefit from its excellent geographical position, becoming a center for the supply of the entire Balkans, and even more beyond, with natural gas, which is cleaner, more inexpensive and will strengthen our economy.
-We will strongly promote the production of electricity from green and clean sources with a focus on hydropower and wind energy. We will promote the construction of new large capacities such as clean electricity at the base, while we will use KESH water reserves for balancing energy or peak energy.
-The priority of our reforms in this sector will be the uncompromising fight against corruption, evasion and smuggling that has gripped the sector today. This phenomenon, today is destroying national wealth and is seriously harming consumers. We will eliminate the dominant monopolies in the hydrocarbon market, as well as strengthen the fight against tax evasion and enable the doubling of private investment in the oil sector, which in recent years is suffering a significant decline in these investments for exploration- oil production.
-Strict fuel quality control will be another absolute priority and commitment of our government. The quality of fuel for industrial or household use will reach the European standard within the first 180 days of our government. This is the commitment we make before you today.
-We will connect the TAP gas pipeline with the Vlora TPP, gasify industrial areas and apply the Ionian-Adriatic highway project, providing a connection to the gas pipeline with Kosovo.
-In the mining sector, we are committed to increase 150% Foreign Direct Investment and will double the contribution of this sector to the economy.
This will bring direct and indirect employment to thousands of Albanians, especially in mountainous and impoverished areas. This will be achieved through significantly improving the business climate in the country, clarity of links and rules, the fight against corruption and avoiding duplication of competencies of the competencies of various government agencies. We will free the mining sector from administrative corruption and put an end to the use of tax-free and dishonest national assets.
-We are ready to consider in cooperation with the miners’ associations, any special benefits for the miners, for the sacrifices they make and that the society owes them, including the benefits according to a dignified status for hard work and to make it a little easier old age with pensions also dignified.
-Immediately after the election, I will concentrate all the power of the state on two other main tasks: solving the flood problems of our cities and completing quickly the repair and rehabilitation of all earthquake damage. It is not surprising that Rama did nothing about these two vital issues.
Meanwhile, before coming to power, we have received the commitment of prestigious institutions that have worked side by side with NATO and the European Union for a real and sustainable solution to the problem of floods in particular and erosion and pollution in general.
Dear fellow citizens, all this can and will be achieved by removing Rama and ending the colossal transfer of your money, the public money that he took to you and continues to take to his friends. We will guarantee that this money goes where you need it. /abcnews.al
