Electricity trading on the Albanian Power Exchange (ALPEX) rose sharply in September as organised wholesale electricity trading expanded across Albania and its neighbouring market. Monthly activity, however, declined compared with August. ALPEX reported 224.2 GWh of day-ahead electricity trading during September 2026.
The exchange said September volumes represented a 75.8% increase year-on-year and an 8.3% fall versus the previous month. The reported value of electricity transactions reached approximately €70.5 million, up 170% compared with September 2025. ALPEX also reported average market-clearing prices of €169.82/MWh for the Albania bidding zone and €164.17/MWh for the neighbouring bidding zone.
Role of ALPEX in Albania’s evolving generation mix
ALPEX’s trading figures were linked to the growing importance of organised wholesale markets in Southeast Europe, where electricity producers, suppliers and traders rely on transparent price formation and market-based procurement. The exchange has become particularly important for Albania as its generation portfolio gradually diversifies beyond hydropower. Solar expansion is also increasing requirements for day-ahead forecasting, commercial scheduling and balancing.
The need for forecasting, scheduling and balancing is described as especially relevant during periods when renewable production and domestic electricity demand do not coincide. Greater participation on the exchange can support price transparency and provide renewable developers with an additional route to market alongside bilateral power purchase agreements. Stronger trading activity does not automatically reduce electricity procurement costs.
Albania remains exposed to hydrological conditions, fluctuations in regional prices and the availability of cross-border transmission capacity. ALPEX was established in October 2020 by Albania’s transmission system operator OST and KOSTT, its counterpart in the neighbouring bidding zone. The exchange launched its first Albanian day-ahead auction in April 2023.
Exchange participation and membership
ALPEX currently has 36 registered members across its two bidding zones. Further development of the exchange could improve conditions for renewable investment and regional electricity trade. Its longer-term commercial importance is described as depending on liquidity, market participation and the ability to accommodate growing renewable generation.
For investors, organised electricity trading is presented as becoming a more significant element of project revenue assumptions rather than only an alternative to bilateral supply contracts.