Voltalia starts building Spitalla PV plant in Albania of 100 MW

French company Voltalia broke ground on the Spitalla solar park in Albania of 100 MW. It scheduled the commissioning of the facility for 2027.

Following the completion a year ago of Karavasta, the largest photovoltaic plant in Albania, Voltalia started the construction of Spitalla. The solar park just north of the port city of Durrës will generate electricity equivalent to the annual needs of 150,000 inhabitants.

The two projects won 15-year contracts for difference (CfDs) at the first successful solar power auctions in Albania. Spitalla, of 100 MW in peak capacity, gets EUR 29.89 per MWh for electricity delivered from 70 MW. The rest of the capacity will be sold under a long-term contract with buyers in the private sector, according to the Paris-based company. The auction was held in 2021.

Voltalia is developer, builder, operator, owner of Spitalla

The commissioning of the Spitalla PV plant is scheduled for the second half of 2027. Like in the previous case, Voltalia is the developer, builder, operator and owner.

“This project highlights Voltalia’s ongoing development and commitment in Albania, the country’s leading solar producer and a long-standing pioneer in turnkey photovoltaic power plant construction. These initiatives showcase our ability to deliver projects that contribute to greener electricity production in Albania while bolstering the national economy with competitive electricity for both domestic and export markets”, Chief Executive Officer Sébastien Clerc said.

Three small photovoltaic parks built for clients in Albania

The group produces and sells electricity from its wind, solar, hydro, biomass and storage facilities. It has a total of 3.1 GW in operation and under construction, and a portfolio of projects under development with a total capacity of 17.2 GW.

Voltalia is a service provider as well, supporting its renewable energy customers at every stage of their projects, from design to operation and maintenance. It has more than 2,000 employees in 20 countries on three continents.

In Albania, the company also built three solar power plants for its customers. They have 2.5 MW each and operate under a feed-in tariff mechanism, according to the Spitalla project page. It is also working on agrisolar projects.

The company is listed on the Euronext regulated market in Paris.

In the meantime, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy of Albania held another auction for photovoltaic projects, in which Voltalia also participated, and one for wind power.