Regulation No. 87 date 14.2.2018 approving the master development plan of the natural gas sector in Albania and the identified priority projects.

The development plan of the natural gas sector in Albania is a national sectoral policy document prepared with the objectives of: i) identifying the demand for natural gas and the potential scenarios of its supply, ii) establishing the applicable legal framework including the price and tariff policies, iii) promoting the natural gas usage in Albania, and iv) building professional and management knowledge and capacity in the Ministry of Energy and Industry, the Gas Transmission Operator, and the Energy Regulatory Entity.
The natural gas sector is identified as one of the strategic sectors of development in Albania that will enable the economic recovery of the country. Albania will be one of the beneficiaries of the regional gas project TAP that will transport natural gas from the gas fields in the Shah Deniz II in Caspic Sea (Azerbaigan) to European markets. TAP is considered important for Albania because it connects the country with the South Gas Corridor and provides gas supply opportunities. The TAP project, as one of the biggest foreign investments in Albania, will have a clear impact on poverty reduction through generating profits and new perspectives for the industrial sector and the local communities including an increase in employment opportunities.
Regarding governance the Albanian Parliament is responsible body for the preparation and approximation of the Albanian legislation with acquis communitaire; the Albanian Government for determining broad development strategies with the Ministry of Energy and Industry: The Energy Regulatory Entity for enforcing the Law on Natural Gas Sector of 2015 including the issuance of licenses and permits and setting forth tariffs in accordance with the law; Albpetrol that has exclusive rights as a state company for the development of gas and oil sectors and their implementation; the National Agency of Natural Resources that prepares strategies for the energy sector and monitor their implementation, municipalities and communes with decision making powers for the investments done in their geographical areas, as well as other organizations and institutions such as civil society organizations that play a role in the gas sector through dialogue with the community.