The Republic of Albania Continues Its Ambitious Path Toward Sustainable Energy Supply

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The Republic of Albania is moving steadily forward on its ambitious path toward a sustainable energy future. The Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy (MIE) recently approved two new photovoltaic projects with a combined capacity of 54 MW. These facilities are scheduled to go online by 2025 and mark an important milestone in Albania’s strategy to achieve 100% renewable energy generation by 2030.

Two New Solar Power Plants with a Total Capacity of 54 MW

The first project, developed by the local company Aurora PV1 Sh.p.k., involves the construction of a 39 MW solar plant in Frakull i Madh, Fier County. The second, led by ARLIS SHPK, will see the development of a 15 MW plant in the village of Gajde, Berat County. Both projects reflect the growing commitment of Albanian companies to green energy initiatives.

The Republic of Albania Continues Its Ambitious Path Toward Sustainable Energy Supply

Government Positions Solar Energy as a Key Technology
The Albanian government has set a target of reaching 3 GW of installed solar capacity by 2030. This goal is part of a broader energy strategy aimed at reducing dependence on fossil fuels, promoting climate protection, and ensuring energy security.

To reach this target, the MIE continues to plan major investment projects. In May 2025, a call for applications was launched for the construction of a 100 MW solar park in the Lushnja region (Fier County). Additionally, through a public-private partnership and with support from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Albania secured a €100 million loan for another 200 MW solar project in Karavasta, which is also expected to become operational by the end of 2024.

Albania as a Regional Pioneer in the Energy Transition

With a clear vision and concrete investment measures, Albania is positioning itself as a regional leader in the energy transition across the Balkans. The continuous approval of new solar facilities, support for both private and public investment, and active international cooperation clearly demonstrate the country’s serious commitment to renewable energy and a forward-looking energy policy. The two new solar projects for 2025 are yet another strong signal of Albania’s sustainable transformation in the energy sector—and serve as a model for other countries in the region.

“Albania Future Now” – Albania at VivaTech 2025 in Paris

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Under the theme “Albania Future Now”, Albania presented itself from June 11 to 14 at VivaTech 2025 – Europe’s largest trade fair for cutting-edge technologies, innovative companies, and startups.

With its participation, Albania reaffirmed its ambition to be an active player in the global innovation landscape. The initiative is part of the “Innovation Now” campaign, supported by EU4Innovation and the Albanian Ministry of Economy, Culture, and Innovation, aiming to increase the visibility of the country’s innovation ecosystem both domestically and internationally. Four key players in Albania’s innovation and economic development scene were represented: the technology parks Durana Tech and TEDA Tirana, the Albanian Investment Corporation (AIC), and the Investment Agency AIDA.

In his speech, Minister of Economy Blendi Gonxhja emphasized that Albania is currently in an excellent position to attract foreign investment.
“We offer integrated structures, competitive technology parks and free trade zones, along with full support from AIDA for international investors,” Gonxhja said.
Delina Ibrahimaj, State Minister for Entrepreneurship and Business Climate, also highlighted Albania’s strong commitment to supporting young talent and positioning itself as an attractive destination for global investors. Arbian Mazniku, Minister for Local Governance, was also present at the event.

Albania used the VivaTech 2025 stage not only to present national projects, but also to forge new partnerships with international investors, startups, and technology leaders.

Albania Invests in AI Startup Founded by Mira Murati

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On June 5, 2025, Albania announced an investment of 1 billion lek (approximately $11.6 million USD) in the AI startup “Thinking Machines Lab”, founded by Mira Murati, former CTO of OpenAI.

The funding was presented to parliament by Finance Minister Petrit Malaj and will be channeled through the Albanian Investment Corporation, using revenue from confiscated assets. Minister Malaj emphasized the strategic importance of the investment for Albania. Beyond boosting the country’s international profile, the project enables knowledge transfer, pilot initiatives in the public sector, and targeted support for local tech startups.

Thinking Machines Lab is already backed by international investors such as Andreessen Horowitz and Sequoia Capital, and is aiming for a company valuation between $10 and $50 billion. The startup focuses on developing collaborative AI systems across text, image, audio, and interactivity.

ACT NOW 2025: Albania’s Innovation Power in Focus

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The two-day ACT NOW 2025 conference, Albania’s leading event for innovation and technology, once again highlighted the country’s pioneering role in the digital transformation of the Western Balkans.

Organized by the Albanian Council for Technology and Innovation (ACTI), the event brought together top tech companies, policymakers, investors, startups, and cybersecurity experts.

On May 30, the main conference opened with contributions from Ermal Beqiri (ACTI), Mirlinda Karçanaj (NAIS), and Minister Blendi Gonxhja, who also launched the national initiative “Albania Future Now.” Highlights included keynote speeches by Microsoft, IBM, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) on topics such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and sustainable innovation.

A cyber drill, panels on the Digital Strategy 2030, and an investor roundtable completed the program. ACT NOW 2025 concluded with an award ceremony, a gala dinner, and fresh momentum for Albania’s digital future.

NATO Summit in The Hague: Tirana to Host in 2027

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The heads of state and government of NATO member countries met on June 24 and 25 in The Hague for a decisive summit, dominated by debates on increasing defense spending and Ukraine’s bid for membership.

Albania’s official delegation at the NATO Summit in The Hague was led by Prime Minister Rama. “The NATO Summit unanimously decided to hold it in Tirana in 2027,” Rama wrote on social media following the summit, which took place in The Hague, Netherlands.

Tirana Hosts Summit of European Heads of State

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Prime Minister Rama Welcomes European Delegations

On May 16, 2025, Tirana hosted the sixth summit of the European Political Community (EPC). The host was Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, who had recently been re-elected with a pro-European mandate in the parliamentary elections held on May 11. Under the motto “A New Europe in a New World: Unity – Cooperation – Joint Action,” 45 heads of state and government gathered, including representatives from France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine.

The summit focused on key issues such as support for Ukraine, strengthening Europe’s security and defense capacities, and joint strategies on migration and competitiveness. In his opening speech, Prime Minister Rama emphasized Albania’s growing importance within Europe and called for enhanced cooperation. Despite the informal nature of the summit, a new coordination team for the EPC was announced, which will operate under the leadership of the European Council. The next meeting is scheduled for autumn 2025 in Denmark.

https://newsroom.consilium.europa.eu/events/20250516-eu-meeting-of-the-european-political-community-may-2025/148904-family-photo-20250516