As part of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development’s （EBRD） Renewable Energy Auction programme in Albania, the Albanian government will launch a tender for 300 Megawatts （MW） of solar power. This will make a major contribution to the country’s future renewable energy supply and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, in line with its climate objectives.
Albania’s Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy is leading the country’s efforts to add an additional 1 Gigawatt （GW） of renewable capacity through at least three competitive procedures, of which this 300MW tender is the first. The initiative will help Albania achieve its goal of becoming a net exporter of renewable energy by 2030.
The tender for bidder-selected sites, expected to be launched by June, will lead to a series of renewable investments. It is being supported by the EBRD, with grant financing from the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs （SECO）。 The announcement can be found here （full details in the English version）。 Prospective bidders are invited to start project preparation activities.
Ekaterina Solovova, EBRD Head of Albania commented “We remain a committed partner to the authorities and open to cooperate with all donors for the development of the renewable energy sector in Albania.
The EBRD has been a leading force in promoting renewable solar and wind power in Albania through a combination of policy engagement, technical assistance and investment. The Bank has so far assisted the ministry with two solar auctions for a total of 240MW. The EBRD, with grant support from SECO, is currently working with the ministry on the country’s first 150MW onshore wind auction and will further work on developing the country’s offshore wind potential.
Gianpiero Nacci, Director Sustainable Business and Infrastructure says “Our work in Albania shows what can be achieved with the appropriate legal and regulatory framework, credible government commitments and the importance of the running competitive tenders. We are delighted to continue to support the country in meeting their ambitious targets.”
The EBRD is a key institutional investor in Albania. To date, the Bank has invested more than €1.9 billion in 137 projects across the country.
