SECO and the Albanian Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy, in collaboration with the Agency for Energy Efficiency, are implementing the Smart Energy Municipalities Project (SEMP) in Albania. SEMP aims to enhance energy efficiency (EE) and promote renewable energy sources, with initial activities in four pilot municipalities: Berat, Korca, Permet, and Shkodra. An energy management system inspired by the European Energy Award will be implemented, aligning municipalities with national energy legislation and raising awareness about energy efficiency. The project supports Albania’s energy and climate policy objectives.

Transforming Street Lighting

SEMP municipalities are taking bold steps towards achieving their greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets by implementing energy-efficiency projects and preparing the deployment of renewable energy measures. In particular, four municipalities are launching pilot projects to introduce energy efficient LED (Light Emitting Diode) technology for street lighting.

The current street lighting primarily relies on high-pressure sodium lamps (HPS) and other conventional technologies. The project gained insights into the lighting infrastructure of each municipality and its potential for improvement through EE LED projects. While the lighting level on main streets in the four municipalities meets acceptable standards, there is room for improvement in smaller side roads where uniformity is currently low. The municipalities operate street lighting for 3,650 hours per year, corresponding to the reported energy consumption data and installed capacity.

Typical values for street lighting operation in Europe are around 4,000 hours per year. Annual energy savings resulting from the implementation of EE LED technology are significant. Improving the street lighting infrastructure and implementating EE LED projects leads to energy savings and promotes safer and more environmentally friendly communities.

Training for Energy Audits and Engineering Design

To lay the foundation for successful implementation, the SEMP Consortium team supported the preparation of detailed energy audits. These audits were conducted in a number of streets in each municipality, leading to valuable insights into energy consumption patterns.  

Shortlisting and Detail Engineering Design

Each municipality proposed a long list of streets, out of which a short list of streets were eventually selected for implementation. These selected streets underwent a meticulous process of detail engineering design, ensuring that the introduction of EE LED technology would be seamlessly integrated into the existing infrastructure. This stage paved the way for efficient implementation and effective results.

Budgeting and Financing

In partnership with the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO the municipalities signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and secured the necessary budget for implementation. SECO provides grants for approximately 70% of the total budget and municipalities cover the remaining 30%. This collaborative financing model demonstrates the commitment of all stakeholders towards sustainable development.

Tendering and Contracting

The municipalities received training on preparing tender documents and specifications for the EE LED technology implementation according to the Albanian public procurement law. The crucial step of selecting implementation and supervision contractors was undertaken, ensuring the successful and high-quality execution of the projects.

Progress and prospects

Having commenced implementation in March 2023, the projects are ongoing. The Municipal Energy Management Units (MEMUs), established with support of SEMP, play a vital role in monitoring the implementation progress alongside the supervision contractors and the SEMP consortium. This collaborative effort not only ensures successful project delivery but also serves as valuable on-the-job training for MEMUs, empowering them to design, implement, monitor, and verify future EE projects identified under Municipal Energy and Climate Action Plans (MECAPs).

Facts and figures

One important aspect of the EE LED projects is the total length of streets involved in the implementation. The average length of streets for introducing EE LED project ranges from 3.5 kilometers up to 13.45 kilometers. This indicates a significant effort to improve energy efficiency in street lighting across these municipalities.  The investments of around 0.4 Million EUR per municipality demonstrate the commitment to enhance their lighting infrastructure while prioritizing energy efficiency.

The implementation of EE LED projects yields financial and economic advantages for the municipalities: annual electricity savings can be redirected towards other developmental initiatives within the municipalities. The use of LED lamps can save up to almost 70% energy compared to HPS technology, highlighting the positive impact of energy-efficient lighting on reducing electricity usage and costs.

Environmental benefits support populations’ health

The EE LED projects in the SEMP municipalities also yield significant environmental benefits. By implementing energy-efficient lighting solutions, the municipalities contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to mitigate climate change. In total, 1711 LED luminaires will be installed in all four municipalities. Compared to traditional HPS lamps, the total electricity saving is around 660 MWh per year. This corresponds to the annual electricity consumption of more than 130 Albanian households.

Where the journey leads us

The adoption of EE LED technology for street lighting by Albania’s municipalities marks a significant step towards achieving their GHG reduction targets and creating sustainable communities. Through meticulous planning, training, and collaboration, the municipalities have successfully initiated the implementation of these projects. The financial and economic indicators highlight the viability and long-term benefits of the projects. As the journey continues, the valuable experience gained from these pilot projects will guide the municipalities in identifying and implementing future energy-efficient projects. The SEMP project is driving the full fledged implementation of municipal energy management systems for a brighter and greener future for all.