Renewables

Albanian government will stimulate investments in solar energy

Photo: EBRD

Published

November 3, 2017

Country

Comments

comments icon

0

Share

Published:

November 3, 2017

Country:

Comments:

comments icon

0

Share

Solar energy is an extremely important energy source for Albania because of its geographic position and exposure to sunlight, the Albanian Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, Damian Gjiknuri said at the opening of a workshop on solar energy in Tirana. The Minister said the Albanian government will stimulate investments in the production of energy from solar plants, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy said in a statement.

The workshop in the Albanian capital was organized jointly late in October 2017 by the Gjinkuri’s ministry and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy and the EBRD signed a Memorandum of understanding on stimulating investments in solar energy through auctions in May 2017.

That Memorandum defines the framework to develop projects and investments across the country in order to reach the level of production of 50 MW to 100 MW from solar power plants. An EBRD statement said the bank has invested more than EUR 1 billion in infrastructure and energy projects in Albania.

Gjinkuri said that the stimulating of investments in solar energy has become a necessity for Albania since the production of power in that country depends 100 percent on hydropower plants. A new law and a national plan on renewable energy sources are the first steps in establishing operational and legal frameworks for the first concrete investments, the Minister said.

He said auctions for solar power plants of 30 MW to 50 MW would be organized by his ministry in cooperation with the EBRD with favorable tariffs provided to investors.

Development of renewable sources of energy in Albania would contribute to improving the country’s energy and economic situation by introducing diversified power sources and creating conditions for the use of renewable energy sources in households, production facilities and the services industry. It would also cut down pollution, Gjinkuri said.

Albanian, Greek and EBRD energy experts took part in the workshop in Tirana, exchanging experiences on the best procurement methods, good practices, opportunities for the renewable energy sector and on progress achieved in Albania in reaching the level of energy production from renewable sources by the year 2020, an EBRD statement said.

Comments (0)

Be the first one to comment on this article.

Enter Your Comment
Please wait... Please fill in the required fields. There seems to be an error, please refresh the page and try again. Your comment has been sent.

Related Articles

GGF loan Lovcen banka Montenegro green portfolio

GGF provides loan to Lovćen banka in Montenegro for its green portfolio

12 February 2025 - The Green for Growth Fund (GGF) has established a partnership with Lovćen banka in Montenegro by signing a loan agreement of EUR 3 million

Termokos tender solar thermal Prishtina heating

Termokos opens tender for solar thermal system for Prishtina heating

05 February 2025 - District heating utility Termokos is seeking a contractor to build a 30 MW solar thermal facility outside Prishtina in Kosovo*

IFC Western Balkans Green Growth Alliance

IFC is building Western Balkans Green Growth Alliance

30 January 2025 - IFC is spearheading the establishment of the Western Balkans Green Growth Alliance for decarbonization and sustainability

Bettina Päri, EUSEW Young Energy Ambassador

On the path to a green future: the importance of bottom-up initiatives in cities

27 January 2025 - Active citizen participation in the energy transition receives attention in the sustainable energy sector. However, when it comes to broader public awareness, the topic gets notably less limelight, and citizen participation in bottom-up projects is still considerably low