Kosovo* to auction 950 MW of renewables, energy storage by 2025

The Government of Kosovo* is preparing a series of auctions for renewable energy and battery storage capacity.

Minister of Economy Artane Rizvanolli revealed plans for auctioning 950 MW in the next two years, in line with the energy strategy until 2031. The investments will be worth EUR 1.2 billion in total, she said at the opening of applications from six companies and consortia for a 100 MW solar power auction.

The upcoming auctions will be for public, public-private and private projects, according to Rizvanolli. She said calls are expected to be issued this year for battery energy storage projects in cooperation with the Millennium Challenge Corp. (MCC) of the United States.

In late 2024, a system of 45 MW in operating power will be tendered for secondary reserves, while next year 125 MW will be tendered for tertiary reserves, the minister pointed out. The energy strategy foresees 170 MW in battery operating power.

Kosovo* plans two auctions for battery energy storage projects with 170 MW in total operating power

In addition, procedures are scheduled to be announced in the fourth quarter for a solar power plant of 100 MW for government-controlled power utility Kosovo Energy Corp. (KEK) and a solar thermal system for district heating in Prishtina, according to Rizvanolli. The contracts will have a combined value of EUR 180 million, she added.

“With the same enthusiasm, we will also develop other competitive projects as part of this package, starting with the 150 MW wind auction, which we will launch later this year,” Minister Rizvanolli stressed. It would be Kosovo’s first wind power auction.

Targets from the energy strategy include a 35% share of renewables in electricity consumption. Also, the government aims to add 1.2 GW in wind and solar power capacity. It includes 100 MW in the prosumer segment, with an intermediary goal of 30 MW by 2025.