Transmission system operators of Albania and Kosovo sign agreements to establish joint power exchange

The transmission system operators OST of Albania and KOSTT of Kosovo* signed today the Shareholders' Agreement and Articles of Association for the establishment of the power exchange company that will operate the short term electricity markets in Albania and in Kosovo*. The power exchange operator, called ALPEX, will have its main seat in Tirana and will operate the day-ahead market coupling between Albania and Kosovo* soon after its operationalisation. ALPEX is expected to extend its services to the intraday market segment in the future. 

The Energy Community Secretariat, as a party that is closely engaged in the Project Steering Committee for establishment of the power exchange, welcomes this development. “Despite the delay, we are happy to see this remarkable achievement in electricity market reforms in Albania and Kosovo*. Today’s signature paves the way for the smooth integration of Albania and Kosovo* into the pan-European market coupling in future. But this is just the beginning of a long journey. We invite all stakeholders to work together in operationalising ALPEX as quickly as possible to ensure market coupling in the first half of 2021,” said Dirk Buschle, Deputy Director of the Energy Community Secretariat. 

Soon after its establishment and consolidation, ALPEX will need to procure services for operation of the day-ahead market and market coupling. This will enable the company to apply for the status of the Nominated Electricity Market Operator, the so-called NEMO, in both, Albania and Kosovo*. In line with the Recommendation of the Energy Community Regulatory Board, the national regulatory authorities of Albania and Kosovo* adopted decisions which establish the NEMO designation framework fully in line with EU Regulation 2015/1222 (CACM).