Kosovo* could add 900 MW of solar by 2030, 250 MW for self-consumption – USAID

Kosovo* could install 250 MW of solar capacities for self consumption, both in the prosumer and the behind-the-meter category, which will bring investments of around EUR 300 million, said Lorik Haxhiu, local project coordinator for the USAID-funded Kosovo Energy Security of Supply actvity.

Kosovo’s* potential pipeline of solar projects is estimated at 880 MW, according to a report titled the Assessment of PV generators in Kosovo. It includes five categories of projects: self-consumption (250 MW), utility-scale projects based on tendering, auctions, and power utility’s KEK initiatives (200 MW), agricultural grants (30 MW), feed-in tariffs (20 MW), and private sector initiatives based on the Law on Strategic Investments (about 380 MW).

Based on an analysis of policy documents, and interviews with installation firms and developers, it is estimated that Kosovo* could install 250 MW of solar capacity for self-consumption by the end of 2030, and based on the prices of previously installed projects, that could translate into EUR 300 million in investment, Lorik Haxhiu said at the Kosovo Solar Forum.

Projects for self-consumption will be implemented in 8,000 households, 1,000 businesses, and 2,000 public buildings

These projects will include 8,000 households, 1,000 businesses, which will look into this alternative to lower electricity bills and 2,000 public buildings, which will implement this measure as part of their effort to increase energy efficiency.

The investment could generate 1,500 jobs, he said.

Kosovo had 20.9 MW of installed solar capacity at the end of 2020

The total solar photovoltaic installed capacity at the end of 2020 was 20.9 MW, with 1,300 projects, mostly in agriculture (1,073).

Out of the 20.9 MW, 10 MW are based on feed-in tariffs, which are now terminated, 5.6 MW are projects behind-the meter, which are not registered under any procedure, 3.7 MW are in agriculture, implemented thanks to the agricultural grants, and 1.6 MW are prosumers.

But it represents a modest share of 0.04% of total electricity consumption in Kosovo*, he said.

Kosovo Energy Strategy 2021-2030 in the pipeline

Kosovo* solar potential is in the middle-range compared to the global potential.

The average daily yield potential of 1 kW of installed solar PV capacity in Kosovo* is around 3.7 kWh/kWp or 1,350 kWh/kWp in a year, said Haxhiu, adding that this is a good energy yield which enables investment return within a reasonable timeframe.

The Kosovo Energy Strategy 2017-2026 is being reviewed, and the preparation of the Kosovo Energy Strategy 2021-2030 is under way, along with the National Energy and Climate Plan (2021-2030), and auctions.