Building of 80 MW solar energy plant underway in Albania

• Works on the Erseka Solar Park near Korça in Albania remain in progress. The initial 2 segments are prepared for 40 MW, which would presently make it the largest facility of its kind in the country, and the capacity ought to later on be doubled.

Prime Minister Edi Rama saw the construction site of the Erseka Solar Park in Kolonja in Albania's southeast, after his government gave the green light in June for starting the works. The developers, Favina, Favina 1 as well as M&K Energy Trading, have actually obtained two approvals for 20 MW each. They intend to subsequently expand the solar energy plant in the Korçan area to 80 MW.

The Erseka facility didn't need a concession and it will not gain from any type of state assistance measures, according to the main documents. The licenses for the first two segments stand for 24 months because they were issued.

As for royalty payments, the operator is obligated to cede 2% of annual electricity production or offer an equivalent financial settlement to the Ministry of Infrastructure as well as Energy.

The project is envisaged to be linked with a future 110 kV/ 35 kV substation and also a 110 kV high-voltage line. The investors have actually taken 102 hectares on lease for the Erseka Solar Park.

The three business said the 40 MW project is worth EUR 30 million and that they secured worldwide car loans for the building of the photovoltaic park. Annual output from 80 MW in capacity is estimated at 170 GWh.

Prime Minister Edi Rama revealed self-confidence that Albania would certainly get to energy independence by 2029 at the most recent. The country depends on hydropower plants for practically 100% of domestic electrical energy output, that makes it vulnerable to dry spells. At their maximum capacity, hydroelectric facilities can cover 75% of consumption, Rama pointed out previously.

The government is swiftly raising the prepared renewable resource capacity, but extremely few projects have gotten to the building phase.

One exemption is French designer Voltalia, which broke ground in July on its 140 MW solar power project Karavasta.