Friday, March 16, 2012

March 16, 2012 – The new draft of Energy Efficiency has gathered at a roundtable in Tirana International Hotel, members of Parliament, heads of institutions, sector experts and representatives of civil society. The event was organized by the Academy of Political Studies, with contributions of GIZ Albania, in frame of the regional initiative "Public Dialogue on Sustainable Energy use in Eastern Europe."
The open debate of participants aimed creating a platform for discussion about the new Albanian draft on Energy Efficiency, which is expected to be submitted for approval to the Parliament. Best suggestions of experts and civil society representatives will be summarized in a recommendation document, which will be officially offered to the parliamentary committees and it will be held a parliamentary hearing.
Participants placed emphasis on the importance of drafting a legislation, which can be applied to practices.
One of the key proposals was the issue of necessity:
- Creation of the energy efficiency fund
- Creation of a National Agency of Energy Efficiency
- Creation of building passports on energy efficiency
In the event discussed and gave their opinions:
- Mr. Jemin Gjana, Chairman of the Parliamentary Commission for Productive Activities, Trade and Environment. He stressed the importance of discussions on the implementation of laws and expressed readiness to welcome the proposals of this roundtable at the parliamentary committee.
-Mr. Agim Bregasi, Director of the Department of Energy - Ministry of Economy, Trade and Energy. He explains the details of the draft and promised that the entire proposition will be reflected in the final EE draft.
Also discussed and gave their suggestions:
-Mr. Pajtim Bello, former Deputy Minister of Energy; also experts Mr.Edmond Hido,  Mr. Gjergj Simaku, Mr. Besim Islam; representants of the association of architects, Mr. Artan Shkreli and Mr. Arben Biçoku; representant of the association of constructors Mr.Pipo Vjero; as well as representatives of donors organisations and civil society involved in the energy and environment sector.
In accordance with European Directives and guidance package on energy and environmental protection, Albania has set ambitious goals: increasing energy efficiency by 9% by 2018. To achieve the objective of increasing energy efficiency, should work together all sectors of society, public institutions, but also civil society, enterprises, media and everyone. This activity is part of a regional initiative "Public Dialogue on Sustainable Energy use in Eastern Europe", implemented by the Network of Schools of Political Studies in Eastern Europe (which operates under the auspices of the Council of Europe) with the support of the German International Cooperation (GIZ) under the auspices of the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).