Could solar power reduce Albania's reliance on energy imports?

Albanian researchers say that solar could be key to reducing Albania’s reliance on energy imports, but the nation will need to invest in grid infrastructure, streamline laws, and enhance access to funding to support deployment.

Is solar a viable alternative to electricity in Albania?

A move toward more solar is partly an attempt to diversify Albania’s electricity sources. In “ Evaluation and integration of photovoltaic (PV) systems in Albanian energy landscape,” which was recently published in Solar Compass, the scientists said that solar is an adaptable and affordable alternative, given Albania’s sunny climate.

Will Albania add 300MW to the energy grid?

Albania has launched its fifth round of auction for new PV projects, and is aiming to add 300MW of new capacity to the country’s energy grid.

What incentives are there for PV development in Albania?

There are already incentives in place to bolster PV development in Albania across three mechanisms: net metering for PV systems up to 500 kW, feed-in tariffs (FiTs) for projects of up to 2 MW, and an auction scheme for large-scale solar facilities.

Who commissioned a 140MW solar project in Albania?

These include the country’s State Secretariat for Economic Affairs and French renewables developer Voltalia, which commissioned a 140MW project in southern Albania last December, as part of a tender issued by the government and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

How much will Albania's power auction cost?

Balluku added that the maximum power price for projects supported by this auction would be €59.97/MW (US$65.24/MW), but that she expects to arrange lower prices for successful projects, pointing to a price of €24.89/MW (US$24.89/MW) agreed at another Albanian power auction as a benchmark for the latest tenders.