Six bidders qualify for Albania’s first wind power auction

Six companies and consortiums are continuing to the second phase of Albania’s auction for wind farms of 100 MW to 150 MW in total capacity. The ceiling price for the bids is now set at 75 euros per MWh.

Sixteen firms and consortiums have applied to participate in an auction for the sale of electricity from future wind farms over a period of 15 years. Albania’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Belinda Balluku revealed that six of them qualify to continue to the second phase. The deadline for bids in the tender expires in May.

Total Eren, Verbund, Voltalia, Eksim Yatırım Holding, Ayen and Salillari, and Güriş and Mogan Energy can prepare bids for wind farm projects of 10 MW to 75 MW. The capacity for which power purchase agreements will be signed is to be determined depending on the offers, Balluku revealed.

France-based Voltalia, which qualified for the second round, won the last two auctions for solar power plants

The first wind power auction in Albania is being prepared with help from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).

There are still no wind parks in the country. Of note, Voltalia won the last two auctions for solar power plants.

Speaking at a press conference, Balluku said the ceiling price has been set at EUR 75 per MWh and added the facilities would be online in 2025. She also estimated that the Skavica hydropower plant would start producing electricity in 2028 with a capacity of 210 MW.