A groundbreaking ceremony was held in Kosovo* for a solar power plant that would benefit from government support after winning the first renewable energy auction. YEO Technology is the contractor in the project, for 130 MW in peak capacity and a 105 MW grid connection.
Kosovo’s* top government officials joined the representatives of the Lindja Solar project at the kickoff of construction works for the Lindja Solar photovoltaic system. The site is in Kramovik and Petković (Guri i Kuq) in the municipality of Rahovec – Orahovac.
A consortium led by Switzerland-based Groupe Orllati won the project more than two years ago at the first renewable electricity auction in Kosovo*. It is eligible for support under a 15-year contract for difference (CfD) for 105 MW in connection capacity, at a price of EUR 48.88 per MWh.
Auctions to remain fully transparent, competitive
The peak capacity will be 130 MW, according to YEO Technology. The company headquartered in Turkey recently signed the full turnkey engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract.
Earlier estimates valued the investment at EUR 70 million.
The authorities vowed to keep its auctions model under full transparency and competitiveness and continue them.
Severe delays in renewables buildout
Of note, the Ministry of Economy issued the initial call for the first wind power auction in December 2024 and the process is still ongoing. There are similar delays in a 120 MW photovoltaic project and another one for battery storage.
The latest statistical update from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) showed that Kosovo* hosted a mere 21 MW of solar power at the end of last year.
Rizvanolli: The path from auction to construction does not only consist of the work seen on the ground
“The path from auction to construction does not only consist of the work seen on the ground. Permits, studies, design, financing, equipment procurement and connection agreements do not always produce pictures, but without them not a single megawatt of energy would be produced,” Acting Minister Artane Rizvanolli said at the ceremony.
Lindja Solar combines the capital and experience of the diaspora with the expertise of local and international companies, she pointed out.
Interestingly, also near Rahovec, the construction of wind power plant Zatriq, only the fourth in Kosovo*, is scheduled to be finished this month.
