April 6, 2025
by in News

Kosovo* signs three agreements for 105 MW solar project

The Ministry of Economy has signed three agreements with the winners of the first renewable energy auction in Kosovo*, for a photovoltaic project with a grid connection of up to 105 MW.

Minister of Economy Artane Rizvanolli has signed an agreement with newly-founded Lindja Solar on the development of the solar power project selected in the first renewable energy auction.

The firm was founded by the winning consortium, led by Groupe Orllati. The remaining members are Holdigaz from Switzerland, ZPV from Germany and domestic solar panel producer and engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) firm Jaha Solar, the ministry said.

KOSTT signed a PPA with the investors

Rizvanolli said the ministry also signed a land lease agreement with Lindja Solar. In addition, Transmission, System and Market Operator (KOSTT) signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with the project firm.

The consortium led by Switzerland-based construction company Orllati was selected in early April to build and operate a solar park of up to 105 MW in connection capacity for 30 years, including a 15-year contract for difference (CfD).

The group won the first renewable electricity auction in Kosovo* with a bid of EUR 48.88 per MWh.

Officials stressed at the time that Orllati is run by businesspeople from the Kosovar diaspora.

The investment in the PV facility is estimated at EUR 70 million

Artane Rizvanolli now said that the successful auction would be the first of many that Kosovo* is preparing.

Orllati Chief Financial Officer Destan Orllati stressed that the project, covering 117 hectares, is part of the country’s push to boost renewable energy production. In addition to the production of clean energy, it will create jobs and stimulate the regional economy, he asserted.

According to the ministry, the four companies plan to invest a total of EUR 70 million in the project.

The agreements were signed by Orllati Managing Director Avni Orllati, Holdigaz Chairman and Managing Director Philippe Petitpierre, Chief Executive Officer of Jaha Solar Fadil Hoxha, CEO of ZPV  Peter Zehendner, Director of Lindja Solar Luisa Helms and the CEO of KOSTT Evetar Zeqiri.

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* This designation is without prejudice to positions onstatus and is in line with UNSCR 1244/99 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
April 6, 2025
by in News

Kosovo* invites firms to qualify for 100 MW wind power auction

The Ministry of Economy of Kosovo* started the first phase of the first of two planned auctions for wind power. The target capacity for the first round is 50 MW to 100 MW, out of a total of 150 MW.

Qualified companies can submit documentation for the first wind power auction in Kosovo*. They will bid for power purchase agreements (PPAs) and contracts for difference (CfDs) with a duration of 15 years.

The Ministry of Economy said the target capacity in the first round is 50 MW to 100 MW. The auction plan envisages two auctions of an overall 150 MW.

At the presentation, officials announced that it is receiving prequalification documentation by February 20. The ministry aims to publish the list of eligible firms in March. The schedule showed that final bids would be opened in August and the winners declared in September.

Maximum bidding price is EUR 80.2 per MWh

Companies will be obligated to design, build, operate, maintain and decommission wind parks. The maximum price is EUR 80.2 per MWh and the lowest bid, submitted excluding value-added tax, shall win.

According to an earlier brochure, the accepted price will be adjusted every 12 months, based on the inflation rate for the sector.

The Law on Renewable Energy Sources stipulates that the contracts would be converted into CfDs twelve months after the establishment of a day-ahead electricity market price in Kosovo*, the document reads. In addition, balancing responsibility is limited to imbalance volumes greater than 10%. Curtailment is subject to financial compensation.

Kosovo* has extraordinary wind energy potential, Minister of Economy Artane Rizvanolli said. Around 17% of the territory has winds of above six meters per second, while in mountainous areas they reach eight meters per second, she added.

Wind capacity factors range between 28.2% and 32.2%, translating to as much as 2.82 GWh in annual output per 1 MW of installed capacity, the ministry said.

Wind power auction winners to establish public-private partnership with government

Other earlier documents reveal that individual wind projects would be run by special purpose vehicles (SPVs), firms where the government would have a share of up to 49%. The Ministry of Economy intends to use the funds from the International Monetary Fund’s Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) in the development of the 150 MW. The purpose of the public-private partnership scheme is to reduce risk for private investors.

Applicants are required to provide a guarantee of EUR 7,000 per MW of proposed capacity. Winners will be obligated to submit guarantees of EUR 70,000 per MW.

Eligible companies have a net worth of at least EUR 30,000 over the last three calendar years and a minimum annual turnover of EUR 25,000 in the same period.

Kosovo* hosts just three wind power facilities: Selac, also known as Bajgora (104.1 MW), Kitka (32.4 MW) and Golesh (1.35 MW).

Of note, Millennium Challenge Account Kosovo has just invited qualified companies to respond to the prequalification call for a battery storage project. The government earlier said it was planning auctions for 950 MW including battery storage within two years.

The first solar power auction was completed in April.

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* This designation is without prejudice to positions onstatus and is in line with UNSCR 1244/99 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
April 6, 2025
by in News

Wind farms Alibunar 1, Alibunar 2 secure market premiums in Serbia’s renewable energy auctions

Wind power projects Alibunar 1 and Alibunar 2, majority-owned by SANY Renewable Energy, a leading global wind turbine manufacturer based in China, have ranked second and third, respectively, in Serbia’s latest renewable energy auction for market premiums in the wind power segment. The auction was organized by the Ministry of Mining and Energy as part of the country’s ongoing efforts to boost renewable energy production.

Alibunar 1, with a capacity of 96.6 MW, and Alibunar 2, with a capacity of 71.4 MW, were recently acquired by SANY Renewable Energy. The projects were originally developed by WV-International, a Dutch renewable energy firm known for its pioneering role in Serbia’s green energy sector, in collaboration with Norwegian developer Emergy.

Following their success in the auction, the company announced that preparations for the construction of both wind farms are underway, with work set to commence in the fourth quarter of 2025. The wind farms will feature SANY Renewable Energy’s S168 wind turbines, each with a capacity of 4.2 MW.

Serbia’s EPS to offtake entire output via 15-year PPA

Upon completion of construction and grid connection, the electricity generated by Alibunar 1 and Alibunar 2 will be sold to Serbia’s state-owned power utility Elektroprivreda Srbije (EPS) under a previously signed 15-year power purchase agreement (PPA). The two wind farms are expected to generate approximately 480 GWh of electricity annually, significantly contributing to Serbia’s transition towards a greener energy mix.

WV-International and Emergy remain committed to expanding their renewable energy footprint in Serbia. The partners are developing an additional portfolio of wind farms totaling 571 MW under the Banat project complex. Furthermore, they are advancing plans for a 125 MW hybrid power plant that will integrate wind and solar energy.

SANY Renewable Energy was listed on Shanghai Stock Exchange in 2022

SANY Renewable Energy Co., Ltd was founded in 2008. It is committed to becoming the global leader in the field of clean energy equipment supply and services.

It was officially listed and traded on the STAR Market of the Shanghai Stock Exchange on June 22, 2022, with the stock code 688349. SANY Renewable Energy’s market share has increased significantly and the company ranked among the top 7 global wind power manufacturers in 2023.

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April 6, 2025
by in News

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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April 4, 2025
by in News

Eurowind Energy signs virtual PPA in Romania with automotive manufacturer

Denmark-based Eurowind Energy signed a 12-year virtual power purchase agreement (PPA) with Autoliv in Romania, for the supply of electricity from the Pecineaga wind park. The automotive manufacturer headquartered in Stockholm also signed one such deal for a solar park in Finland.

The strongest wind turbines in Romania will generate electricity for Autoliv, which makes safety systems for vehicles including airbags and seatbelts, as well as steering wheels and other components. Eurowind Energy will supply the energy from its Pecineaga wind power plant for 12 years under a virtual PPA. In addition, the Swedish automotive manufacturer has another new contract in Finland.

Eurowind Energy recently completed the construction of all eight SG 6.6-170 turbines at the site in Northern Dobruja (Dobrogea in Romanian). However, the 48 MW wind farm is expected to become operational by 2027, according to an update from Autoliv.

PPAs essential for project development for Eurowind Energy

Estimated annual output is 176 GWh, equivalent to the electricity needs of 48,000 Romanian households. The investment is worth EUR 79 million. Eurowind Energy, based in Hobro, Denmark, is one of the biggest wind and solar power developers in Romania.

The company is also a partner in the construction of a giant photovoltaic plant in Bulgaria. The Tenevo facility is planned to be combined with a future wind park and a battery energy storage system into a hybrid power plant.

“PPAs are essential in developing new energy parks. Power purchase agreements with large, ambitious companies like Autoliv ensure the continuous development of new parks and a cleaner future for all of us,” Commercial Director Jesper Schaumburg-Düring said. Eurowind Energy is 50% owned by EWE Holding while Norlys Holding controls the other half.

Autoliv is combining wind with solar in different countries to optimize electricity production

Autoliv’s other new virtual PPA, also for 12 years, is with Alight, for a proposed solar power plant of 100 MW in peak capacity. The two deals are important for ensuring a consistent and reasonably priced energy supply for the manufacturer’s activities in Europe, reducing the risks associated with potential future energy price fluctuations, the announcement reads.

“The innovative approach of combining solar and wind technologies ensures optimal energy generation during both day and night. This approach and the fact that the facilities are located in two different European countries provides flexibility in Autoliv’s physical operations and electricity procurement,” the company added.

The PV park in Eurajoki, Finland is supposed to come online in 2026. Autoliv revealed that it intends to “contract a majority of the clean electricity produced.” Construction is set to start during the spring, the statement adds.

“Through these initiatives, we support our ability to supply customers seeking sustainable products and we take a significant step forward in achieving our climate targets for the European operations,” said Autoliv Europe’s President Magnus Jarlegren. The company aims to achieve carbon neutrality in own operations by 2030 and net zero emissions across the supply chain by 2040.

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