European Bank issued the following announcement.

The government of Albania has annouced plans for launching the first tender for the construction of utility-scale on-shore wind power plants, which will make a major contribution to improve the country’s future energy supply and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The tender, expected to be launched early in 2021, will be the first in a planned series of investments in wind energy projects and was supported by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) with additional financial grant support of €650,000 provided by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).

Matteo Colangeli, EBRD Head of Albania, said: “We are delighted to expand our partnership with the Albanian authorities to start up the wind power sector, building on the successful experience with solar. We are confident that transparent and well prepared tenders for wind can deliver attractive energy prices and quality investors for Albania”.

Patrik Meier, Deputy Head of Mission at the Swiss Embassy in Albania, added: “I am happy that this innovative energy auction in Albania will contribute to improve sustainable energy supply, enhance resilience to climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This is an inspiring model for promoting transparency, competitiveness and participation of private sector which will trigger new initiatives for scaling-up renewable energy investments in the country.”

The EBRD has been a leading force in promoting renewable solar and wind power in Albania through a combination of policy engagement, technical assistance and investments. Earlier this year the Bank supported Albania’s Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy in launching tenders for the 140 MW Karavasta and the 100 MW Spitallë solar photovoltaic projects.

Prospective bidders can propose projects with a minimum capacity of 30 MW and a maximum capacity of 75 MW. Through this tender process, the ministry will select projects totalling 150 MW that will receive support measures.

The first wind power plants tender will diversify the country’s energy sources, increase its resilience to climate change and is expected to attract foreign investment.

The EBRD is a leading institutional investor in Albania. To date, the Bank has invested more than €1.4 billion in 104 projects in the country.

The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) is the Swiss government’s leading office for economic affairs, including international economic development cooperation. It promotes sound framework conditions and governance principles for economic and trade development in partner countries by sharing its expertise and financing projects. In the last two decades, Switzerland has provided CHF 38 million grant funding for Albania’s energy sector.
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