The second call for support for 2000 families to install solar panels for water heating is open.

The announcement was made by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, Belinda Balluku.

After the success of the first call, where 1981 families across the country have solar panels installed in their homes for water heating, subsidized at a rate of 70% by the state budget, work has already begun on the second call, a measure that directly affects the reduction of electricity bills for families that have installed this system, ATSH writes, KosovaPress reports.

In the Farka area of ​​Tirana, where she visited one of the families that benefited from the first call, Deputy Prime Minister Balluku explained that the second call has started with the opening of applications for interested entities that offer this service. Upon completion of this phase, starting on February 24, applications will be opened for citizens.

"Starting today, February 4, as well as the first time, we will divide this process into two phases. Starting today, all those entities that wish to provide services, installation and solar panels for all families who will apply, must start applying on the Energy Efficiency Agency website. And then the second phase begins, on February 24, all family subscribers who wish to be equipped with these solar panels, which are subsidized 70% by the funds created by the Energy Efficiency Agency, can start their application, considering that 2000 units are available to be used in this second package," explained Balluku.

The Minister of Infrastructure and Energy further added that the diversification of renewable sources is a national strategy, which the Albanian government has been pursuing since 2019, but what we are asking for, Balluku added, is the inclusion of all citizens in this strategy which will lead our country towards a secure future in the energy sector, turning Albania into a net energy exporting country by 2030.

"I would call on all citizens, taking the good example we have with the 1981 units installed to date, to apply as soon as possible, starting from February 24," said Balluku, once again drawing attention to the fact that since February, the new electricity price has also started to be applied, 10,5% lower for family subscribers who consume up to 700 kilowatt-hours.

The Balla family, as one of the beneficiaries of the first call for subsidies for solar panels for water heating, emphasized that this measure has been reflected in their monthly electricity bill, bringing a significant reduction. The entire process is online on the website of the Agency for Energy Efficiency.