Photo: ダモ リ on Unsplash
Government-controlled Kosovo Energy Corp. (KEK) launched the prequalifications call for its Solar4Kosovo photovoltaic project. The area is in the municipalities of Obiliq (Obilić) and Fushë Kosovë (Kosovo Polje), northwest of Prishtina.
After more than four years of planning the project, KEK is receiving applications for the design and construction of its first solar power plant, on a former coal ash dump. The government-owned power utility operates coal plants Kosovo A and Kosovo B, which account for some 90% of domestic electricity.
The location for the first part of the Solar4Kosovo project is in the municipalities of Obiliq (Obilić) and Fushë Kosovë (Kosovo Polje). The area, northwest of Prishtina, is in the Sitnica river valley, near Kosovo A.
The facility is planned for a grid connection of at least 100 MW. It translates to 120 MW in peak capacity, according to earlier updates. It would be the biggest PV plant in Kosovo*.
KEK is receiving prequalification bids until January 22, within the process of selecting contractors for the project. Companies apply through the exficon (exfitender) platform. Three months ago, the utility said agricultural activities on the designated land weren’t allowed anymore.
KEK obtained EUR 32 million EU grant
The financing for the Solar4Kosovo facility is part of the European Union’s Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans of EUR 9 billion in grants. The package is aimed at mobilizing a total of EUR 30 billion.
The European Investment Bank is providing a EUR 33 million loan. The EU has approved a EUR 32 million grant via its Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), while Germany’s KfW Development Bank is lending EUR 29 million to KEK. The investment was earlier estimated at EUR 107 million overall.
Annual output estimated at 169 GWh
The proposed solar power plant is expected to produce 169 GWh per year. It would have an underground connection to the existing substation at the Kosovo A thermal power plant.
The other part of the Solar4Kosovo project is for a solar thermal facility of 30 MW for the capital city’s district heating system. The site is in the village of Shkabaj (Orlović) in Obiliq municipality. Another segment of the investment is for a further network extension of 20 MW with supply from Kosovo B.
* This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSCR 1244/99 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
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