Despite the recent heavy rain in Albania, the country is still suffering from a shortage of electricity. The level of water in the reservoir of the second largest hydro power station, Fierza, increased by 1m in two days. But although the water shortage situation is improving, officials warned that the electricity shortage could extend well into January 2000.

Public Economy and Privatisation Minister, Zef Preci said that the government is trying to find alternative means of supply to resolve the alectricity shortage problem. The country produces 6M kWh of electricity a day but consumes 18M kWh. Albania wants to add 1M kWh per day from steam power stations, and is discussing the possibility of another electricity transmission line with Montenegro that will import 2M kWh a day from Hungary and more from Greece. Albania will also cut the electricity supply to Kosovo from the Fierza hydro power plant.