Electricity trading on the Albanian Power Exchange (ALPEX) increased sharply in September 2026, highlighting the continued development of organised wholesale electricity markets in Albania and the wider Southeast European region. Despite the strong annual growth, monthly trading activity declined compared with August.
ALPEX recorded 224.2 GWh of day-ahead electricity trading in September 2026, representing a 75.8% increase year-on-year and an 8.3% decrease compared with the previous month. The value of electricity transactions reached approximately €70.5 million, rising by 170% compared with September 2025.
The exchange reported average market-clearing prices of €169.82/MWh for the Albania bidding zone and €164.17/MWh for the neighbouring bidding zone. The figures underline the growing role of organised wholesale markets in Southeast Europe, where electricity producers, suppliers and traders are increasingly relying on transparent price formation and market-based procurement.
ALPEX is becoming increasingly important for Albania as the country gradually diversifies its electricity generation portfolio beyond hydropower. The expansion of solar generation is creating additional requirements for accurate day-ahead forecasting, commercial scheduling and balancing, particularly when renewable output does not coincide with domestic electricity demand.
Higher participation on the exchange can improve price transparency and give renewable energy developers an additional route to market alongside bilateral power purchase agreements. At the same time, stronger trading activity does not necessarily mean lower electricity procurement costs, as Albania remains exposed to hydrological conditions, regional price movements and the availability of cross-border transmission capacity.
ALPEX was established in October 2020 by Albania’s transmission system operator OST and its counterpart in the neighbouring bidding zone, KOSTT. The exchange launched its first Albanian day-ahead auction in April 2023 and now has 36 registered members across its two bidding zones.
Further development of ALPEX could support renewable energy investment and strengthen regional electricity trading. Its longer-term commercial importance, however, will depend on market liquidity, participation levels and the ability of the exchange to accommodate growing volumes of renewable generation.
For investors, the increasing role of organised electricity trading means that market-based revenues are becoming a more important part of project assumptions, rather than simply serving as an alternative to bilateral electricity supply contracts.
