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Strategic agreement aims to export renewable energy and strengthen Mediterranean energy security
Albania is preparing to take a major strategic step in the energy sector through an ambitious international project involving Italy and the United Arab Emirates. The three countries have signed a cooperation agreement to develop a subsea electricity interconnection across the Adriatic Sea, with an estimated investment exceeding €1 billion and the goal of exporting renewable energy generated in Albania to the Italian market.
The Project: Green Energy from Albania to Italy
The initiative includes the construction of a high-voltage subsea cable connecting the Albanian port city of Vlora to Italy’s Apulia region, along one of the shortest routes across the Adriatic Sea. The infrastructure is expected to become operational within the next few years and represents a key element of trilateral energy cooperation, supporting regional energy security and accelerating the transition toward sustainable power generation.
In parallel, the project also предусматри the development of approximately 3 gigawatts of new renewable energy capacity in Albania, with a significant share of the electricity intended for export. The initiative aligns with Albania’s national strategy to strengthen its role as a regional producer and exporter of green energy, leveraging natural resources and foreign investment.
The Role of International Investors
The project is being developed under a trilateral strategic partnership involving major industrial energy players. Key participants include Italian energy company Eni, UAE-based renewable energy leader Masdar, and TAQA Transmission, a company specialized in large-scale electricity transmission infrastructure.
Under preliminary agreements, Eni could act as a major off-taker of renewable electricity produced in Albania, helping establish a new integrated energy market between the two sides of the Adriatic Sea.
Economic Impact and Opportunities for Albania
Albania’s electricity system currently relies heavily on hydropower, which covers most domestic production but leaves the country vulnerable to climate-related fluctuations. Expanding into solar and wind energy, combined with the new interconnection with Italy, could reduce dependence on energy imports and potentially transform Albania into a net electricity exporter in the coming years.
According to industry analysts, growing energy demand in Italy — driven by industrial expansion, the rapid growth of data centers, and the increasing adoption of electric mobility — is expected to enhance the strategic value of the subsea interconnection, creating new commercial opportunities for Albania while strengthening Mediterranean energy cooperation.
A Key Step in European Energy Diplomacy
The project forms part of a broader international effort to strengthen energy infrastructure and accelerate the transition toward sustainable power sources. It also represents an important milestone in Albania’s economic integration with European energy markets and reinforces the country’s position as a regional energy hub.
The agreement and its strategic objectives were confirmed by official statements from the Albanian government and international partners, as reported by ANSA
