Albania will issue a call for investors in June for the first of three solar power auctions, aimed at boosting its solar energy capacity by 1 GW.
The first offer will be for 300 MW, with successful bidders signing a 15-year agreement consisting of a power purchase agreement (PPA) and a contract for difference (CfD). The deadline for proposals is expected to be in October, with each developer able to bid for a maximum of 100 MW total capacity in the auction.
The tender is open to all investors who can provide proof of ownership and the viability of locations identified by the Albanian Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy.
“The trigger to change from trading period 1 to trading period 2 is a positive decision taken by the ERE on the market readiness assessment, as determined based on the pre-defined conditions set out in the Renewable Energy Law,” the notice reads. ERE is the country’s Energy Regulatory Authority.
The French firm Voltalia won the last two tenders and last year started building its Karavasta photovoltaic facility of 140 MW capacity. Investors wanting to take up the latest offer will need to propose preferred locations for solar power schemes within areas marked by the ministry as potentially suitable.
Bidders must provide evidence of site suitability, including social and environmental impact assessments, with documentation complying with Albanian law, European Union environmental acquis and lender requirements.
Albania is also preparing to open bids next month for a separate tender of wind farms for 100 MW to 150 MW total capacity. Six firms and consortiums have qualified for the second and final phase of the auction.
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