Albania plans to build three hydropower plants on the river of Vjose in the south of the country, local media reported on Thursday.

The plans were announced by the head of the state-run power utility KESH Gjergi Bojaxhi, but they should be approved by the country's parliament.

The planned installed capacity of the three plants was not revealed, but it was reported that their production could be up to 40 percent of the total output of Albania's three main hydropower plants on the river Drin in the north of the country.

More than 90 percent of Albania's domestically-produced electricity is generated by hydro-power plants, which are badly affected by droughts.

In the past years, Albania has been hit by an acute energy crisis, with regular power cuts throughout the country, including the capital Tirana.