Albania has launched its first tender for utility-scale onshore wind power plants. Individual projects with a capacity of between 10 megawatts (MW) and 75 MW can apply. Several projects will be chosen: the total tendered capacity equals 100 MW and this may be increased to 150 MW in the coming months, in line with the country’s renewable energy targets.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has been supporting the Albanian authorities in the introduction of competitive procurement processes for renewable energy projects.
“We are delighted with the progress Albania is making on scaling up wind and solar energy through open and transparent tenders,” said Matteo Colangeli, EBRD Head of Western Balkans. “This is another milestone for the diversification, resilience and sustainable development of the country’s energy sector.”
Developers are invited to submit their qualification submissions by mid-June 2022. This will be followed by a request for proposals from applicants successful in the first phase. The launch of the tender process marks the start of a work-intensive phase for developers to meet the stringent technical, environmental and social requirements of the selection process.
Today’s call follows the successful award of two EBRD-supported solar tenders for the 140 MW Karavasta and 100 MW Spitallë solar photovoltaic projects in recent years. The projects will help to diversify sources of supply in Albania’s electricity sector, which is vulnerable to seasonal changes in hydrology and dependent on expensive and emissions-intensive power imports.
