The government of Albania has announced the results of the country’s first utility-scale bidder-selected site auction for onshore wind.
Three bidders have been awarded capacity, totalling 222.48 MW, under the country’s third renewable energy auction and the first for onshore wind.
The successful bidders are Total Eren with a bid of €44.88/MWh for a capacity of 75MW; Guris with a bid of €74/MWh for 74.88MW; and Verbund with a bid of €74.95/MWh for 72.6MW.
With Total Eren’s bid, the result marks another record price for the country and the Western Balkans region, according to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (ERBD).
Albania launched the auction in 2021, with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy running the tender.
EBRD has helped the Albanian authorities introduce competitive procurement processes for renewable energy projects.
EBRD director for sustainable business and infrastructure, Gianpiero Nacci said: “Albania has made remarkable progress towards meeting its renewable energy targets and implementing auctions.
“We are very pleased to have supported the first wind auction in the country with bidder-selected sites and look forward to launching the 300MW solar auction.
“This success is a game changer for Albania, a testament to what can be achieved with the right policy framework and a government committed to delivering on their renewable energy targets.”
Ekaterina Solovova, EBRD head of Albania, added: “We continue to be a strong partner to the Albanian authorities.
“We are proud to be the anchor financier of the Karavasta project, the first successfully auctioned solar plant in the country, and stand ready to continue leveraging financing for renewable energy, especially when we see solid and mature projects coming through as a result of sector reforms.”
The Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) has provided funding for the technical assistance that covers the new tender, as well as for work on energy sector regulation that will enable renewable energy sources to be deployed.
SECO is also financing the upcoming 300MW solar auction.