Albania receives applications for solar power projects of 151 MW in total

Investors submitted applications to Albania’s Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy for the construction of three photovoltaic plants with a combined capacity of 151 MW, of which the largest one would have 93 MW.

As Albania is introducing measures and reforming legislation to accelerate the deployment of renewables, the corporate sector is rushing to line up investments in the sector, especially in the solar power segment. The country is a net electricity importer for at least 25% of its needs as it is almost completely dependent on hydropower, so the energy crisis and high power prices are significant catalysts for photovoltaic projects.

The latest batch of applications for solar power projects that the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy received includes one of the largest ones so far, from Faethon. The company intends to build a 93 MW facility in Libohova in the Gjirokastër county in the country’s south.

Another expression of interest came from Sunray Energy, which is working on the documentation for a 50 MW photovoltaic plant. The location is in Povelça in the Dërmenas administrative unit in the municipality of Fier.

The ministry said a consortium of firms called ETS, ES 2019 and Ideas Solutions Energy Albania applied for the construction of a solar power unit of 8 MW in Sheq Marinas in the Topoja administrative unit, also in the Fier municipality and county.

None of the projects, with a combined capacity of 151 MW, are included in any government support mechanism, the announcement adds.