October 15, 2025
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Alcazar Energy plans to boost its Montenegro investments to USD 500 million

Alcazar Energy intends to increase its investments in Montenegro from USD 200 million to USD 500 million, according to Co-Founder and Managing Partner Daniel Calderon.

Alcazar Energy is one of the companies with which Montenegro has signed memoranda of understanding on projects in the energy sector. It was done today at the EU-Montenegro Investment Conference in Luštica. The company recently began construction on the largest wind farm in the Western Balkans, located in North Macedonia.

Daniel Calderon, Alcazar Energy’s Co-Founder and Managing Partner, told Balkan Green Energy News that the construction of the Bijela wind farm is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2026.

The investment in the 118.8 MW wind farm is estimated at USD 200 million, he added.

Alcazar is currently preparing the land and conducting procurement for this major project, which represents the first part of its investment in Montenegro.

The investment in the Bijela wind farm is valued at USD 200 million

Alcazar has now signed a memorandum of understanding with the Government of Montenegro to increase investments from USD 200 million to USD 500 million.

The country’s leadership is creating a good and consistent climate for foreign investments, Calderon stressed.

The company, in his words, sees the potential for its investments to increase to USD 500 million over the next five years.

Alcazar estimates that investments in renewables in Montenegro could reach USD 4-5 billion by 2040, and would like to be a part of it. Its investments would be around 10% of that amount, representing the first investments in this large endeavour, Calderon underlined.

Several projects in Montenegro are being considered

When asked to elaborate on these new projects, he replied that the company is considering several projects, but that he cannot disclose any details at this time.

Today, Calderon was one of the speakers at a panel titled Renewables: Scaling Montenegro’s energy transition.

At the EU-Montenegro Investment Conference, a total of 14 joint projects between Montenegrin and European companies have been initiated, including investments in wind farms, solar parks, energy storage, and power grids.

Alcazar plays a significant role in the development of the renewable energy sector in MENAT (Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey) and the Balkans, including through projects in Montenegro, Serbia, and North Macedonia.

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October 15, 2025
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EU-Montenegro Investment Conference: 14 partnerships, MoUs signed for energy, sustainable projects

A total of 14 cooperation projects between Montenegrin and European companies have been initiated at the ongoing European Union-Montenegro Investment Conference, including investments in wind farms, solar parks, energy storage, and grids.

The two-day conference, titled Smart Growth, Green Future: Accelerating Investment in Montenegro, was opened today in Luštica, near Tivat, by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the Prime Minister of Montenegro, Milojko Spajić.

Montenegro’s growing potential for strategic, green, and sustainable investments was presented through new partnerships between leading Montenegrin and European companies, according to a press release by the Government of Montenegro.

The Conference was jointly organized by the government and the European Commission, with the support of the Montenegro Investment Agency (MIA).

State power utility EPCG has signed three memoranda of understanding

State-owned power utility Elektroprivreda Crne Gore (EPCG) has signed three memoranda of understanding (MoUs). One was signed with Akuo for the development of several renewable energy projects, including floating solar, a photovoltaic plant, and energy storage.

The second MoU, signed with SS&A Power Group, envisages the development, manufacture, and installation of thermal energy storage, while the third, with Wind Fisher, concerns a new technology for high-altitude wind power generation.

Alcazar Energy signed a memorandum with the government’s project management office for the development and financing of renewable energy projects. CWP Europe and the Montenegrin Investment Agency (MIA) signed a memorandum on the development of the Montečevo solar farm project with battery storage. The company signed a similar agreement for its project in Albania yesterday.

A memorandum was also signed between Čevo Solar and Grawert Jenny & Partner on battery energy storage systems (BESS). A 20 MW/60 MWh battery is being considered.

Four sustainable investment partnerships were also signed

The Ministry of Energy and Mining and EDF will further discuss the issue of modernizing Montenegro’s power distribution network.

Among the signed documents is an MoU on collaboration between the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Erste on a Regional Energy Efficiency Program (REEP), as well as cooperation in the field of wastewater management between Suez and MIA.

In addition, four sustainable investment partnerships were also signed: Farm2Fork Montenegro, Station M, Green Logistics Hub, and Northern Investments Compact for Ecology & Resilience (NICER). Green Logistics Hub refers to the Port of Bar, which aims to become the first net-zero port on the Adriatic. NICER concerns the just transition and is led by the Pljevlja Coal Mine.

Von der Leyen: Do not wait for accession to invest in Montenegro

Photo: Bojan Gnjidić/Vlada Crne Gore

The event brought together senior representatives of the Government of Montenegro, the European Union, international financial institutions, as well as prominent European and Montenegrin investors.

“My message is very clear: do not wait for accession to invest in Montenegro, because by then you may miss the opportunities that others will seize,” Ursula von der Leyen noted.

She stressed that by continuing its European journey with determination and speed, Montenegro is making its goal of EU accession attainable.

“Today, we are opening a new chapter of development—we are beginning a major investment cycle, strengthening our ties with the European market even before formally joining the European family. Today, we are bringing our vision of green and smart growth to life. We are doing this together with our most important strategic partner—the European Union, which is also the largest investor in our country,” Prime Minister Milojko Spajić said.

He recalled that the country plans to close all negotiating chapters with the EU by the end of 2026 and become its 28th member state in 2028.

Photo: Bojan Gnjidić/Vlada Crne Gore
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July 17, 2025
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Construction of largest wind farm in Western Balkans kicks off in Štip in North Macedonia

The construction of the largest wind farm in the Western Balkans region has begun in North Macedonia. The Government of North Macedonia and investor Alcazar Energy Partners held a groundbreaking ceremony near the city of Štip for the 400 MW facility.

The Štip wind farm will cover an area of 326 hectares in the municipalities of Karbinci, Radoviš, and Štip, southeast of the capital city of Skopje. Alcazar Energy Partners, which is developing the largest renewable energy platform in the Western Balkans, plans to invest USD 500 million and install 55 wind turbines, which would generate electricity equivalent to the needs of 100,000 households.

The largest operational wind farm in the Western Balkans is Čibuk 1, with a capacity of 158 MW, while the largest project in the pipeline is Maestrale Ring, also in Serbia, for 854 MW.

Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Alcazar Energy Daniel Calderon praised North Macedonia’s readiness to launch such a large-scale project.

The investment will create 600 jobs

The foundation is being laid for a project worth over USD 500 million, which will create 600 jobs, provide clean energy, and reduce carbon dioxide emissions, he stated.

Photo: Government of North Macedonia

Calderon also recalled that in a Bloomberg analysis, investments in renewable energy in the Western Balkans were estimated at USD 11 billion. Due to its advantages, including location, North Macedonia can expect to receive 30% to 40% of it.

North Macedonia’s Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski noted that the ceremony represents the fulfillment of what the newly formed government promised and agreed with the investor a year ago. He added it is only the first phase.

The power plant will produce 1 TWh of electricity per year

There are many more ideas on how the investment can add even greater value and be more significant both for the investor and for North Macedonia, but it will be discussed at a later stage, according to Mickoski.

He added that the power plant would generate 1 TWh of electricity per year.

North Macedonia currently has two wind farms – Bogdanci, with a capacity of 36.8 MW and a 15 MW expansion underway, and Bogoslovec, of 36 MW, in which the Green Growth Fund (GGF) is a minority shareholder.

The largest wind farm in Europe has a capacity of 2,000 MW

In mid-April, Alcazar Energy Partners signed a development support agreement for the Štip project with the International Finance Corporation, a member of the World Bank Group. The company has a 1.6 GW pipeline of greenfield onshore wind and solar assets,

Of note, the largest operational wind farm in Europe is Markbygden in Sweden, with a capacity of 2,000 MW. Among the top ten, there is another wind farm in Sweden and one in Norway, while the others are in the United Kingdom. The list also includes the 600 MW Fântânele-Cogealac-Gradina wind park in Romania.

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June 3, 2025
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Maja Maćić: Alcazar Energy expands presence in Western Balkans

Alcazar Energy is an independent sustainable infrastructure fund focused on renewable energy in emerging markets. It has been present in the Balkans since 2022 and is developing projects in Serbia, Montenegro, and North Macedonia. Maja Maćić, Balkans Platform Head of Alcazar Energy, said at Belgrade Energy Forum (BEF 2025) that the company expects to launch construction activities for some of its projects later this year.

Alcazar plays a significant role in the development of the renewable energy sector in MENAT (Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey) and the Balkans, including projects in Montenegro, Serbia, and North Macedonia.

The company’s presence in the Western Balkans began with the Bijela wind farm project in Montenegro, planned at 118.8 MW. According to Maja Maćić, Alcazar Energy is in the final stages of preparing the technical and other required documentation for the construction permit.

The Bijela wind farm will be in operation by the end of 2028.

“We expect to have the fully permitted project in the third quarter of this year and to close financing by the end of the year, to initiate some early construction activities within this year, but to have construction in 2026 and 2027, with the main aim to have the operational project by the end of 2028,” Maćić said.

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The Celzijus wind farm project is one of the largest in the region

By acquiring the largest wind power project in North Macedonia, for the Štip wind farm, Alcazar Energy has expanded its regional presence by 400 MW.

According to Maćić, the company expects to secure all required permits by the end of the year and begin construction. “Due to an improved legislation framework, we have made significant progress in North Macedonia and Montenegro, and we are proud that soon we will have construction activities and engage local companies on the sites,” she stated.

Last year, Alcazar Energy acquired the Celsius 1 wind farm project in Serbia, for 200 MW in capacity. It signed a deal with RP Global, which was developing the project before that. Their transaction includes a portfolio of additional wind and solar projects, totaling 768 MW. The investment in Celsius 1 is estimated at USD 300 million, which would make it one of the largest wind farms in the region.

“We believe that we will also manage to make significant progress in Serbia in order to deploy local companies and international companies, fulfilling the highest international standards and our local policies,” Maćić said.

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April 16, 2025
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Alcazar joins forces with IFC to develop Štip wind farm project

Alcazar Energy Partners has signed a development support agreement with the International Finance Corporation, a member of the World Bank Group. The company intends to develop the largest renewable energy platform in the Western Balkans.

Alcazar Energy Partners (AEP) said the agreement provides access to development assistance funding for phase 1 of the Štip wind farm, the largest wind power project in North Macedonia, reinforcing both parties’ commitment to mobilizing private capital for sustainable infrastructure in strategic growth markets.

The start of construction of the first phase of the EUR 500 million Štip wind farm is envisaged later this year. The total installed capacity, once all phases are complete, would be approximately 400 MW.

According to Alcazar, the project will provide clean, reliable power to over 100,000 households and mitigate up to 690,000 CO2-equivalent tons emissions each year, marking a significant step towards strengthening North Macedonia’s energy security and renewable energy objectives.

Štip wind farm is AEP’s first project in North Macedonia

Štip wind farm is AEP’s first project in North Macedonia. It reflects the firm’s strategy to expand its presence across the Western Balkans, where it has already acquired a 1.5 GW pipeline of greenfield onshore wind and solar assets, delivering renewable energy infrastructure that supports national ambitions and global climate goals.

The project was launched ten months ago. The sites for more than 50 turbines are on the territories of the municipalities of Karbinci, Radoviš, and Štip, southeast of the capital city of Skopje.

The signing ceremony took place on the sidelines of the ESG Adria Summit in Porto Montenegro.

AEP is currently advancing a detailed project design

“Our continued partnership with IFC is instrumental as we progress with the Štip wind farm. Together, we’re not only advancing the energy transition but also supporting economic development and long-term energy security. We look forward to delivering a project that brings lasting value to communities and reinforces North Macedonia’s sustainability ambitions,” Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Alcazar Energy Partners Daniel Calderon stated.

AEP, currently advancing a detailed project design, has engaged leading engineering, environmental, legal, and social advisors to ensure the project meets the highest international standards.

Avato: The Štip wind Farm in North Macedonia is a natural extension of our collaboration

According to Patrick Avato, IFC’s Manager for Infrastructure and Energy in Europe, the two sides built a strategic partnership over more than a decade, working together to advance sustainable energy projects across emerging markets.

“The Štip wind farm in North Macedonia is a natural extension of this collaboration, aimed at expanding access to affordable, clean energy—essential for economic competitiveness and growth. In addition to strengthening the country’s energy security, the project also reflects IFC’s commitment to supporting sustainable energy solutions that meet international standards and contribute to a just energy transition in the region,” he asserted.

The signing was also attended by Tim Sheahan, Senior Director at AEP.

Alcazar Energy Partners is an independent infrastructure fund manager focused on the development, financing, construction, and operation of utility-scale renewable energy projects in growth markets since 2014. It now has a cumulative renewable energy portfolio of more than 4 GW, reads the press release.

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April 6, 2025
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Alcazar Energy, EPCG open talks on PPA for Montenegro’s biggest wind farm

Renewable energy investor Alcazar Energy Partners has signed a memorandum of understanding with Montenegrin state power utility Elektroprivreda Crne Gore (EPCG), initiating negotiations on a power purchase agreement (PPA) for electricity that will be produced by Alcazar’s future 118.8 MW Bijela wind farm.

Alcazar Energy acquired the rights to the Bijela wind farm project in September 2023. A year later, it signed a contract for the construction of infrastructure for connecting the facility to the grid.

A key component of the government’s 2040 National Development Strategy, Bijela will support Montenegro’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, Alcazar said in a press release. The largest wind farm in Montenegro will provide clean energy to more than 16,000 households while preventing the release of up to 230,000 tons of CO2 annually, according to the statement.

The wind farm will provide green energy to more than 16,000 homes

The development of Bijela, backed by the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), will support Alcazar’s strategic expansion in the Western Balkans and it target of developing 1GW of renewable energy in the region, according to the statement.

“This partnership is continued evidence of our commitment to developing the largest renewable energy platform in the Western Balkans,” said Daniel Calderon, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Alcazar Energy Partners.

The Bijela project supports Alcazar’s ambition to develop 1 GW of renewables in the Western Balkans

Ivan Bulatović, the executive director of EPCG, described the memorandum of understanding as “a crucial step in strengthening Montenegro’s energy stability.”

“Cooperation with renowned international partners, such as Alcazar Energy Partners, not only enables the modernization of the sector but also accelerates the transition to cleaner and more sustainable energy sources,” he added.

Alcazar Energy Partners is an independent sustainable investment manager with a strong track record in developing utility-scale renewable energy projects in emerging and growth markets since 2014, reads the press release.

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