January 15, 2026
by in News

Montenegro to renew first solar power auction call as soon as possible

After rejecting all bids within its first auction for market premiums for solar power projects, the Ministry of Energy and Mining of Montenegro vowed to tackle the shortcomings in the conditions for participation and renew the public call as soon as possible. The country intends to hold the competitive bidding process by the end of the first quarter, followed by a wind power auction in the third quarter.

Montenegro’s Ministry of Energy and Mining declined, in mid-December, all four bids in the country’s first solar power auction, for a quota of 250 MW. A report that the government adopted three weeks ago revealed that 11 entities have expressed interest by purchasing the tender documentation.

The failures in fulfilling the conditions included submitting documents that were too old and not meeting the requirements for spatial planning and grid connections, the ministry said. On the other hand, it acknowledged shortcomings regarding the auction qualification terms, vowing to tackle them and issue another call as soon as possible.

Namely, the main obligatory documents can’t be older than the public call itself. They are the urban planning and technical conditions, which the government issues, and the grid connection contract, but they are signed only once, becoming acquired legal rights.

Winners can sign 12-year CfDs

The call to auction was published in July. Under Montenegro’s legal framework, auction participants compete for market premiums in the form of 12-year contracts for difference (CfDs) for their projects.

The beneficiary has a guaranteed price, approved through the auction. When the firm sells electricity in the market at a higher price, it must return the difference. And vice versa: when the beneficiary gets less per megawatt-hour than the contract price, it is reimbursed.

Eligible projects don’t or didn’t benefit from government incentives. They can participate if construction works haven’t begun and the developers haven’t secured financing for their completion.

The lowest bids win, and the maximum allowed price was EUR 65 per MWh.

First successful projects from auctions seen for completion in 2028

Per the official plan, the solar power auction needs to be held in the first quarter of this year, followed by a wind power round, for 200 MW. Minister Admir Šahmanović earlier said that he expected the power plants to come online from 2028 to 2030.

Conducting renewable electricity auctions is one of the commitments toward the European Union that were defined by the Reform Agenda of Montenegro 2024-2027. It contains the conditions for the approval of up to EUR 383 million from the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans and the Reform and Growth Facility (RGF).

Post Views:54
January 15, 2026
by in News

Why CEE is one of most attractive regions for investment in new energy projects

Munir Hassan and Thomas Hamerl, partners in CMS’s world-leading energy practice, discussed the most significant developments in the renewable energy market for 2026 with Balkan Green Energy News.

There is great potential for early movers in the segments of battery storage and ancillary services, according to Munir Hassan, global head of the energy and climate change at CMS (London), and Thomas Hamerl, regional head of energy and climate change at CMS Vienna.

Interconnection and interoperability with the EU’s electricity market will enhance the region’s value for established producers and increase its attractiveness for new investors, they told Balkan Green Energy News.

Beyond grid availability and tariffs, potential investors in renewables and storage focus on the target country’s policy direction and the scalability of projects, Hassan and Hamerl explained.

Investors need advisors who are familiar with international contracts and can navigate local energy markets

Potential investors in renewables and storage do not just look for efficient support with time-sensitive grid availability and network tariffs. They appreciate legal advisors who are familiar with international contracts and can also navigate local energy markets. The current policy direction of the target country and the scalability of projects are more interesting than ever, Hassan and Hamerl asserted.

CMS’s regional footprint and its global network enable it to share expertise across jurisdictions, and its local teams contribute to regulatory initiatives. With over 70 offices worldwide, including 17 offices in CEE region, CMS supports renewable energy developers and investors. The global law firm follows policy developments that are shifting from saturated markets to the CEE region, with the aim of applying best practices and overcoming challenges and bottlenecks beforehand.

Speaking to Balkan Green Energy News, Hassan and Hamerl said companies should ride the investment wave and use opportunities as legal frameworks in Southeast Europe and the wider CEE region are advancing rapidly and opening new market segments.

At CMS’s traditional annual CEE Energy Conference (CEE Energy Conference 2025), held in London in October 2025, most investors were seriously considering to add energy storage to power plants and PPAs for industrial customers.

Data center projects are adding to demand growth in green electricity

Hassan pointed to digital infrastructure as the main driver of demand, even more in SEE than the rest of the CEE region, alongside the decommissioning of coal and gas-fired power plants.

Things are starting to move with data center projects in Slovenia, Croatia and Austria, for example, Hamerl stressed.

“Usually, data center developers are international and well-experienced, bringing technical and commercial know-how. These need not be only global hyperscalers such as Amazon, Google and Microsoft. Smaller data centre operators and telecom companies are strengthening their presence in CEE. They may all seek out the expertise and networks of local infrastructure developers,” he added.

CMS is involved in major projects throughout Southeast Europe

The changes are spurring the need for more resilience in the energy sphere and national sources. It is one of the factors behind the nuclear energy program in Poland, for shielding against geopolitical shocks, according to Hassan.

There are also nuclear power projects in Romania, including an advanced one for a small modular reactor (SMR) system, and Bulgaria, and CMS is involved in all of them. It has also contributed to deals for the giant Vifor wind power endeavor in Romania. Slovenia and Serbia are next.

Financing through debt could contribute to nuclear energy and interconnector projects

Hassan said there is a notable appetite for debt financing in CEE and suggested that the model could contribute to nuclear projects including the ones for SMRs.

“Another relevant development that we see is the development of electricity networks and even interconnectors. There’s a lot of private capital that’s looking to build electricity grids in Southeast Europe and Central and Eastern Europe. But the regimes there are designed for the existing system operators to develop these projects. The difficulty, like here in the UK and other parts of the world, is that they are unable to deliver the infrastructure quickly because they don’t have the resources and financial capability,” he asserted.

Western Europe is comfortable with the idea that private companies can own and run such assets, Hassan underscored and added that transmission upgrades in general could be financed the same way. But TSOs would typically take ownership of transmission system infrastructure including interconnectors.

EU funds would have better effect as loan guarantees

Among the investment appeal factors in CEE, Hassan highlighted the grants via the European Union’s Modernization Fund and Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF).

“Those sorts of funds are very, very important. I think the governments need to find smart ways of effectively using that money to help create conditions in which you can get private international investment into the region, rather than simply as grant funding. If you give it as a way of, let’s say, underwriting debt, in case there’s a risk issue, that’s a better way, that kind of multiplier effect,” he stressed.

Knowhow for navigating legal frameworks in emerging market segments in CEE

The United Kingdom and other parts of Western Europe are experiencing growth of the markets for new system support services. Southeast Europe and Central and Eastern Europe may follow soon. For instance, Austria is about to introduce a capacity market. Serbia is rolling out an ancillary services market in January 2026, enabling a potential revenue stream for standalone battery energy storage systems (BESS).

“It’s not a mature market yet, but market entrants with the required experience and knowhow, will find a lot of possibilities in the region. If you want to be a first mover or an early mover, you must go there now,” said Hamerl. He added it is an opportunity for battery storage, to support the grid through the flexibility market or frequency restoration and new kinds of services, instead of just arbitrage.

It is much more expensive to expand the power grid than to use energy storage capacity available in the market

Regulatory frameworks are either in place or will very soon be in place, Hamerl noted.

“Batteries play an important role in supporting the grids and saving money because building new grids is always much more expensive than storage capacity in the market. I still see a long way to go for alternatives to batteries,” he said.

The fact is that it takes several years to build a pumped storage hydropower plant, while hydrogen and ammonia production and distribution infrastructure are not sufficiently developed yet.

Photovoltaics, BESS in sharply upward trajectory

Locations for photovoltaics in Southeast Europe are much better than in most parts of Europe, Hamerl underscored, adding that the coastal areas are particularly favorable for wind power.

For instance, experts predict the total operational solar and wind capacity in Montenegro to reach 400 MW by the end of this year. For Croatia, RES generation capacity is expected to increase from 4.7 GW in 2025 to almost 12 GW by 2040.

In Bulgaria, PV capacity jumped fivefold since 2019, to 5 GW, the law firm pointed out and emphasized the surge in both co-located and standalone BESS as well. Forecasts see the segment, currently at 600 MW, to hit 5 GW by the middle of 2026.

CMS Sofia has advised on more than 50% of all installed renewable energy capacities in Bulgaria. One of the clients, Renalfa IPP, has an investment program worth EUR 1.2 billion, involving 1.6 GW in electricity generation assets and 3.3 GWh of battery storage in Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary and North Macedonia.

CMS helping optimize regulations to suit governments as well as investors

There are obviously differences in every country of Central and Eastern Europe, but there are similarities drawing investors into the region, according to Hassan.

“They want to see the revenue risk is dealt with, the technical risks are dealt with, the political risk is kind of dealt with, et cetera. So our job as lawyers is to help people understand the frameworks, but also our local teams are helping to design some of these frameworks. To that extent, we can try and design them upfront in a way that achieves not only what the countries want, the governments want, but also what the international investors will be looking for,” he asserted.

The most important factors for investors are a clear direction of law making and scalability

In his view, the most important factors are a clear direction of lawmaking and regulation – strong policy backing, and scalability, in the sense that a company can do many more projects on the back of the first one.

Hamerl said that the waiting time for grid connection remains one of the most important elements, together with network charges. Investors seek stable grid fees or at least clarity about the pace and way of growth, he stressed.

“They are always asking us about the stability of the grid and the grid usage charges. However, in some markets there is a diversity of federal, provincial, and  local laws requiring different permits. Investors ask themselves in which province it is possible to obtain permits in time. Zoning and spatial planning is crucial too. For most of our clients, it’s nice to get subsidies, but those other issues are more important,” Hamerl asserted.

Post Views:136
January 15, 2026
by in News

Albania gives green light to CWP Europe for 600 MW wind park

Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Belinda Balluku promoted CWP Europe’s wind power project Tropoja of 600 MW. After receiving the ministry’s preliminary approval at the event, the company’s CEO Dimitar Enchev highlighted the importance of local electricity production for a modern economy, including AI and data centers, and for energy independence. Albania still doesn’t host a single operational wind turbine.

CWP Europe will hopefully connect its future wind park Tropoja to the grid within 12 months, excluding the period of harsh winter, according to Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama. Speaking at the project’s presentation, he said the investment is a step toward the country’s ambition of becoming self-reliant in energy production.

“For a long time, we had complete dependence on water and rainfall. At the same time, we inherited a system with so many weaknesses that, when rainfall was lacking, we had to go to international markets and purchase large quantities at inflated prices. Meanwhile, when rainfall came in abundance, we often saw much of this potential value, water, go to waste and not only fail to be converted into energy, but at times also cause extraordinary damage,” Rama stated.

Namely, hydropower plants accounted for almost 100% of domestic electricity production until recently. By the end of the decade, the combined share of wind and solar power will reach 30%, Rama underscored.

Preparing final stages of Tropoja wind power project

CWP Global’s Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer for Europe Dimitar Enchev received a preliminary approval from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy at the event. He highlighted the importance of local electricity production for a modern economy and energy independence, especially with the expansion of artificial intelligence and data centers.

“The last time I was here was about three months ago, when we decided and signed a joint cooperation agreement with the EU. And now, after three months, we receive the permission that allows us to engage in preparing the final stages of our project,” Enchev stated, as quoted by CNA.

CWP Europe has more than 7 GW under development in Southeast Europe

CWP Europe has 900 MW in wind power projects under development in Albania, part of a portfolio of more than 6 GW across Southeast Europe plus more than 1 GW in photovoltaics.

The Tropoja area is in the country’s far north. Albania still doesn’t host a single operational wind turbine.

Support from European Commission

CWP Europe signed a joint declaration in October with the European Commission, the Albanian Investment Development Agency and the Montenegrin Investment Agency, in support of the Tropoja project and the Montechevo solar farm with battery storage in Montenegro, respectively.

In September, the company’s subsidiary Eralb Invest submitted its wind power project to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy, for 603.9 MW. It is not subject to concession and doesn’t benefit from state support measures.

In 2023, the firm sent a proposal to the Strategic Investment Committee (SIC or KIS) in which the project was for a wind and solar park of 826 MW in total capacity. It is an interministerial panel chaired by Prime Minister Edi Rama.

The entire designated area in Tropoja municipality reportedly spanned 385 hectares, encompassing the territories of the villages Viçidol, Berisha, Luzha and Pac, and the investment was valued at EUR 1.2 billion.

In October 2023, CWP and GE Vernova’s Onshore Wind business agreed to develop a large-scale hybrid wind and solar project in Albania. They estimated the investment at more than EUR 1 billion.

Fântânele-Cogealac-Gradina, the biggest onshore wind park in Southeastern Europe and, until recently, in entire Europe, has 600 MW in capacity. It is located in Romania. CWP developed the project and sold it in 2008.

Balluku: Diversification is strategic necessity

Albania is moving to a modern, balanced energy model, where diversification of sources is no longer a solution, but a strategic necessity, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Belinda Balluku.

“The Tropoja wind farm is not just an energy investment. It is a symbol of the transformation that Albania is experiencing, a transformation towards a sustainable, stronger and more innovation-friendly economy. This project proves that the Albanian energy sector is entering a new phase, where private investment and foreign direct investment are becoming engines of growth, thanks to serious partnerships and long-term visions,” she stated.

Wind and solar power projects totaling 1.5 GW are under development in Albania

In recent years, Albania added over 700 MW of photovoltaic capacity, and another 400 MW for self-supply, Balluku revealed. Wind and solar power projects totaling 1.5 GW are under development, she added. Future pumped storage hydropower capacity in the Drin (Drim) cascade and Statkraft’s project in Moglica amount to 1.6 GW, Balluku stressed.

Since 2013, losses in the power distribution network have dropped to 16.9% from more than 45%, while total electricity capacity increased by 1.5 GW, the deputy prime minister added. She said outages have been reduced to an all-time low and that they usually only last a few minutes.

The Special Court Against Corruption and Organized Crime suspended Balluku in late November amid an investigation, but the Constitutional Court soon reinstated her.

Post Views:122
January 13, 2026
by in News

Why CEE is one of most attractive regions for investment in new energy projects

Munir Hassan and Thomas Hamerl, partners in CMS’s world-leading energy practice, discussed the most significant developments in the renewable energy market for 2026.

There is great potential for early movers in the segments of battery storage and ancillary services, according to Munir Hassan, global head of the energy and climate change at CMS (London), and Thomas Hamerl, regional head of energy and climate change at CMS Vienna.

Interconnection and interoperability with the EU’s electricity market will enhance the region’s value for established producers and increase its attractiveness for new investors, they told Balkan Green Energy News.

Beyond grid availability and tariffs, potential investors in renewables and storage focus on the target country’s policy direction and the scalability of projects, Hassan and Hamerl explained.

Investors need advisors who are familiar with international contracts and can navigate local energy markets

Potential investors in renewables and storage do not just look for efficient support with time-sensitive grid availability and network tariffs. They appreciate legal advisors who are familiar with international contracts and can also navigate local energy markets. The current policy direction of the target country and the scalability of projects are more interesting than ever, Hassan and Hamerl asserted.

CMS’s regional footprint and its global network enable it to share expertise across jurisdictions, and its local teams contribute to regulatory initiatives. With over 70 offices worldwide, including 17 offices in CEE region, CMS supports renewable energy developers and investors. The global law firm follows policy developments that are shifting from saturated markets to the CEE region, with the aim of applying best practices and overcoming challenges and bottlenecks beforehand.

Speaking to Balkan Green Energy News, Hassan and Hamerl said companies should ride the investment wave and use opportunities as legal frameworks in Southeast Europe and the wider CEE region are advancing rapidly and opening new market segments.

At CMS’s traditional annual CEE Energy Conference (CEE Energy Conference 2025), held in London in October 2025, most investors were seriously considering to add energy storage to power plants and PPAs for industrial customers.

Data center projects are adding to demand growth in green electricity

Hassan pointed to digital infrastructure as the main driver of demand, even more in SEE than the rest of the CEE region, alongside the decommissioning of coal and gas-fired power plants.

Things are starting to move with data center projects in Slovenia, Croatia and Austria, for example, Hamerl stressed.

“Usually, data center developers are international and well-experienced, bringing technical and commercial know-how. These need not be only global hyperscalers such as Amazon, Google and Microsoft. Smaller data centre operators and telecom companies are strengthening their presence in CEE. They may all seek out the expertise and networks of local infrastructure developers,” he added.

CMS is involved in major projects throughout Southeast Europe

The changes are spurring the need for more resilience in the energy sphere and national sources. It is one of the factors behind the nuclear energy program in Poland, for shielding against geopolitical shocks, according to Hassan.

There are also nuclear power projects in Romania, including an advanced one for a small modular reactor (SMR) system, and Bulgaria, and CMS is involved in all of them. It has also contributed to deals for the giant Vifor wind power endeavor in Romania. Slovenia and Serbia are next.

Financing through debt could contribute to nuclear energy and interconnector projects

Hassan said there is a notable appetite for debt financing in CEE and suggested that the model could contribute to nuclear projects including the ones for SMRs.

“Another relevant development that we see is the development of electricity networks and even interconnectors. There’s a lot of private capital that’s looking to build electricity grids in Southeast Europe and Central and Eastern Europe. But the regimes there are designed for the existing system operators to develop these projects. The difficulty, like here in the UK and other parts of the world, is that they are unable to deliver the infrastructure quickly because they don’t have the resources and financial capability,” he asserted.

Western Europe is comfortable with the idea that private companies can own and run such assets, Hassan underscored and added that transmission upgrades in general could be financed the same way. But TSOs would typically take ownership of transmission system infrastructure including interconnectors.

EU funds would have better effect as loan guarantees

Among the investment appeal factors in CEE, Hassan highlighted the grants via the European Union’s Modernization Fund and Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF).

“Those sorts of funds are very, very important. I think the governments need to find smart ways of effectively using that money to help create conditions in which you can get private international investment into the region, rather than simply as grant funding. If you give it as a way of, let’s say, underwriting debt, in case there’s a risk issue, that’s a better way, that kind of multiplier effect,” he stressed.

Knowhow for navigating legal frameworks in emerging market segments in CEE

The United Kingdom and other parts of Western Europe are experiencing growth of the markets for new system support services. Southeast Europe and Central and Eastern Europe may follow soon. For instance, Austria is about to introduce a capacity market. Serbia is rolling out an ancillary services market in January 2026, enabling a potential revenue stream for standalone battery energy storage systems (BESS).

“It’s not a mature market yet, but market entrants with the required experience and knowhow, will find a lot of possibilities in the region. If you want to be a first mover or an early mover, you must go there now,” said Hamerl. He added it is an opportunity for battery storage, to support the grid through the flexibility market or frequency restoration and new kinds of services, instead of just arbitrage.

It is much more expensive to expand the power grid than to use energy storage capacity available in the market

Regulatory frameworks are either in place or will very soon be in place, Hamerl noted.

“Batteries play an important role in supporting the grids and saving money because building new grids is always much more expensive than storage capacity in the market. I still see a long way to go for alternatives to batteries,” he said.

The fact is that it takes several years to build a pumped storage hydropower plant, while hydrogen and ammonia production and distribution infrastructure are not sufficiently developed yet.

Photovoltaics, BESS in sharply upward trajectory

Locations for photovoltaics in Southeast Europe are much better than in most parts of Europe, Hamerl underscored, adding that the coastal areas are particularly favorable for wind power.

For instance, experts predict the total operational solar and wind capacity in Montenegro to reach 400 MW by the end of this year. For Croatia, RES generation capacity is expected to increase from 4.7 GW in 2025 to almost 12 GW by 2040.

In Bulgaria, PV capacity jumped fivefold since 2019, to 5 GW, the law firm pointed out and emphasized the surge in both co-located and standalone BESS as well. Forecasts see the segment, currently at 600 MW, to hit 5 GW by the middle of 2026.

CMS Sofia has advised on more than 50% of all installed renewable energy capacities in Bulgaria. One of the clients, Renalfa IPP, has an investment program worth EUR 1.2 billion, involving 1.6 GW in electricity generation assets and 3.3 GWh of battery storage in Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary and North Macedonia.

CMS helping optimize regulations to suit governments as well as investors

There are obviously differences in every country of Central and Eastern Europe, but there are similarities drawing investors into the region, according to Hassan.

“They want to see the revenue risk is dealt with, the technical risks are dealt with, the political risk is kind of dealt with, et cetera. So our job as lawyers is to help people understand the frameworks, but also our local teams are helping to design some of these frameworks. To that extent, we can try and design them upfront in a way that achieves not only what the countries want, the governments want, but also what the international investors will be looking for,” he asserted.

The most important factors for investors are a clear direction of law making and scalability

In his view, the most important factors are a clear direction of lawmaking and regulation – strong policy backing, and scalability, in the sense that a company can do many more projects on the back of the first one.

Hamerl said that the waiting time for grid connection remains one of the most important elements, together with network charges. Investors seek stable grid fees or at least clarity about the pace and way of growth, he stressed.

“They are always asking us about the stability of the grid and the grid usage charges. However, in some markets there is a diversity of federal, provincial, and  local laws requiring different permits. Investors ask themselves in which province it is possible to obtain permits in time. Zoning and spatial planning is crucial too. For most of our clients, it’s nice to get subsidies, but those other issues are more important,” Hamerl asserted.

January 13, 2026
by in News

Albania gives green light to CWP Europe for 600 MW wind park

Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Belinda Balluku promoted CWP Europe’s wind power project Tropoja of 600 MW. After receiving the ministry’s preliminary approval at the event, the company’s CEO Dimitar Enchev highlighted the importance of local electricity production for a modern economy, including AI and data centers, and for energy independence. Albania still doesn’t host a single operational wind turbine.

CWP Europe will hopefully connect its future wind park Tropoja to the grid within 12 months, excluding the period of harsh winter, according to Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama. Speaking at the project’s presentation, he said the investment is a step toward the country’s ambition of becoming self-reliant in energy production.

“For a long time, we had complete dependence on water and rainfall. At the same time, we inherited a system with so many weaknesses that, when rainfall was lacking, we had to go to international markets and purchase large quantities at inflated prices. Meanwhile, when rainfall came in abundance, we often saw much of this potential value, water, go to waste and not only fail to be converted into energy, but at times also cause extraordinary damage,” Rama stated.

Namely, hydropower plants accounted for almost 100% of domestic electricity production until recently. By the end of the decade, the combined share of wind and solar power will reach 30%, Rama underscored.

Preparing final stages of Tropoja wind power project

CWP Global’s Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer for Europe Dimitar Enchev received a preliminary approval from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy at the event. He highlighted the importance of local electricity production for a modern economy and energy independence, especially with the expansion of artificial intelligence and data centers.

“The last time I was here was about three months ago, when we decided and signed a joint cooperation agreement with the EU, and now, after three months, we receive the permission that allows us to engage in preparing the final stages of our project,” he stated, as quoted by CNA.

CWP Europe has more than 7 GW under development in Southeast Europe

CWP Europe has 900 MW in wind power projects under development in Albania, part of a portfolio of more than 6 GW across Southeast Europe plus more than 1 GW in photovoltaics.

The Tropoja area is in the country’s far north. Albania still doesn’t host a single operational wind turbine.

Support from European Commission

CWP Europe signed a joint declaration in October with the European Commission, the Albanian Investment Development Agency and the Montenegrin Investment Agency, in support of the Tropoja project and the Montechevo solar farm with battery storage in Montenegro, respectively.

In September, the company’s subsidiary Eralb Invest submitted its wind power project to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy, for 603.9 MW. It is not subject to concession and doesn’t benefit from state support measures.

In 2023, the firm sent a proposal to the Strategic Investment Committee (SIC or KIS) in which the project was for a wind and solar park of 826 MW in total capacity. It is an interministerial panel chaired by Prime Minister Edi Rama.

The entire designated area in Tropoja municipality reportedly spanned 385 hectares, encompassing the territories of the villages Viçidol, Berisha, Luzha and Pac, and the investment was valued at EUR 1.2 billion.

In October 2023, CWP and GE Vernova’s Onshore Wind business agreed to develop a large-scale hybrid wind and solar project in Albania. They estimated the investment at more than EUR 1 billion.

Fântânele-Cogealac-Gradina, the biggest onshore wind park in Southeastern Europe and, until recently, in entire Europe, has 600 MW in capacity. It is located in Romania. CWP developed the project and sold it in 2008.

Balluku: Diversification is strategic necessity

Albania is moving to a modern, balanced energy model, where diversification of sources is no longer a solution, but a strategic necessity, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Belinda Balluku.

“The Tropoja wind farm is not just an energy investment. It is a symbol of the transformation that Albania is experiencing, a transformation towards a sustainable, stronger and more innovation-friendly economy. This project proves that the Albanian energy sector is entering a new phase, where private investment and foreign direct investment are becoming engines of growth, thanks to serious partnerships and long-term visions,” she stated.

Wind and solar power projects totaling 1.5 GW are under development in Albania

In recent years, Albania added over 700 MW of photovoltaic capacity, and another 400 MW for self-supply, Balluku revealed. Wind and solar power projects totaling 1.5 GW are under development, she added. Future pumped storage hydropower capacity in the Drin (Drim) cascade and Statkraft’s project in Moglica amount to 1.6 GW, Balluku stressed.

Since 2013, losses in the power distribution network have dropped to 16.9% from more than 45%, while total electricity capacity increased by 1.5 GW, the deputy prime minister added. She said outages have been reduced to an all-time low and that they usually only last a few minutes.

The Special Court Against Corruption and Organized Crime suspended Balluku in late November amid an investigation, but the Constitutional Court soon reinstated her.

Post Views:40
January 10, 2026
by in News

Kelag International strengthens European presence with brand unification

Kelag International has unified its subsidiaries under its single brand. The move is strengthening the group’s European identity, it said. It reflects the group’s ambition to become a key driver of Europe’s green energy transition through long-term, sustainable investments and strong regional partnerships, according to Kelag International.

International entities now operating under the Kelag International brand, including Interenergo, were already part of the group. They have completed their legal and brand transition. The company based in Klagenfurt, Austria, said the alignment of brand identity was designed to enhance visibility, strengthen cooperation and facilitate the transfer of expertise across markets, while ensuring a consistent strategic and operational approach across the group.

Kelag International, which has offices in nine other countries, is active across 14 European markets. The broader platform is covering Southeast Europe, the Mediterranean and the Iberian Peninsula.

“Uniting our international activities under the Kelag International brand is a strategic decision that positions us among the most ambitious players in Europe’s energy transition,” said Managing Director of Kelag International Christian Schwarz.

Local roots remain, strengthened by European network

Long-standing partnerships remain at the core of the company’s approach, the announcement reads. What changes is the scale and connectivity. Local expertise is now supported by a wider European network, shared resources and coordinated strategic development, Kelag International pointed out.

Schwarz: Uniting our international activities under the Kelag International brand is a strategic decision that positions us among the most ambitious players in Europe’s energy transition

It operates 54 renewable energy facilities with a total installed capacity of 280 MW, producing more than 680 GWh of green electricity annually. It is enough to supply nearly 200,000 households. The company has more than 160 employees.

Balanced technology mix for resilient energy future

Kelag International follows a clear guiding principle: the balanced development of all key renewable energy technologies, from solar and wind to hydropower, tailored to the specific requirements of each market, the update adds. In response to the growing share of renewables in Europe’s power system, the group is increasingly focusing on flexibility solutions, system stability and security of supply.

A particular emphasis is placed on the development of energy storage and battery systems, which are essential for grid balancing, price stability and long-term decarbonization, the company said.

Kelag International revealed that its development activity is strongest in Italy, followed by Croatia and the wider Balkan region, where several new renewable energy projects are in advanced stages of development and nearing completion. It aims to reach 818 MW of installed capacity by 2035 and generate 1.69 TWh of renewable electricity per year. The company stressed that it is offering stable, long-term and sustainable energy supply solutions to large electricity consumers.

“Alongside project development and operations, we are also active in the wholesale supply of electricity, including the structuring and management of long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) for industrial customers and energy markets — supporting the integration of renewable energy into Europe’s energy system,” it added.

Post Views:47
January 9, 2026
by in News

Kelag International strengthens European presence with brand unification

Kelag International has unified its subsidiaries under its single brand. The move is strengthening the group’s European identity, it said. It reflects the group’s ambition to become a key driver of Europe’s green energy transition through long-term, sustainable investments and strong regional partnerships, according to Kelag International.

International entities now operating under the Kelag International brand, including Interenergo, were already part of the group. They have completed their legal and brand transition. The company based in Klagenfurt, Austria, said the alignment of brand identity was designed to enhance visibility, strengthen cooperation and facilitate the transfer of expertise across markets, while ensuring a consistent strategic and operational approach across the group.

Kelag International, which has offices in nine other countries, is active across 14 European markets. The broader platform is covering Southeast Europe, the Mediterranean and the Iberian Peninsula.

“Uniting our international activities under the Kelag International brand is a strategic decision that positions us among the most ambitious players in Europe’s energy transition,” said Managing Director of Kelag International Christian Schwarz.

Local roots remain, strengthened by European network

Long-standing partnerships remain at the core of the company’s approach, the announcement reads. What changes is the scale and connectivity. Local expertise is now supported by a wider European network, shared resources and coordinated strategic development, Kelag International pointed out.

Schwarz: Uniting our international activities under the Kelag International brand is a strategic decision that positions us among the most ambitious players in Europe’s energy transition

It operates 54 renewable energy facilities with a total installed capacity of 280 MW, producing more than 680 GWh of green electricity annually. It is enough to supply nearly 200,000 households. The company has more than 160 employees.

Balanced technology mix for resilient energy future

Kelag International follows a clear guiding principle: the balanced development of all key renewable energy technologies, from solar and wind to hydropower, tailored to the specific requirements of each market, the update adds. In response to the growing share of renewables in Europe’s power system, the group is increasingly focusing on flexibility solutions, system stability and security of supply.

A particular emphasis is placed on the development of energy storage and battery systems, which are essential for grid balancing, price stability and long-term decarbonization, the company said.

Kelag International revealed that its development activity is strongest in Italy, followed by Croatia and the wider Balkan region, where several new renewable energy projects are in advanced stages of development and nearing completion. It aims to reach 818 MW of installed capacity by 2035 and generate 1.69 TWh of renewable electricity per year. The company stressed that it is offering stable, long-term and sustainable energy supply solutions to large electricity consumers.

“Alongside project development and operations, we are also active in the wholesale supply of electricity, including the structuring and management of long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) for industrial customers and energy markets — supporting the integration of renewable energy into Europe’s energy system,” it added.

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January 9, 2026
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D.Trading to offtake 200 MW of solar in PPA with Econergy in Romania

D.Trading, the pan-European trading arm of DTEK Group, signed a renewable electricity offtake deal for 200 MW of installed solar power capacity in Romania with renewable energy developer and operator Econergy. The power purchase agreement (PPA) includes the country’s largest photovoltaic plant.

D.Trading announced that it would purchase electricity from solar power plants Rătești and Părău in Romania. The deal for Econergy’s assets is for 200 MW. The PPA reflects growing market demand for structured renewable offtake products and marks an important milestone in the commercialisation of the two photovoltaic facilities, the announcement adds.

“Partnering with leading companies such as Econergy supports our long-term strategy of expanding renewable energy integration across the region. This agreement strengthens our green power portfolio and represents another step more towards becoming the leading provider of solutions for renewable assets and battery storage in Eastern Europe,” said Head of D.Trading Power Desk EU Stanislav Dudka.

The company operates in Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe. D.Trading is the pan-European trading arm of DTEK Group, which also owns DRI.

Econergy is planning to add a 120 MW battery energy storage system to its Rătești solar power plant

As Romania’s power market continues to evolve, shaped by price volatility, regulatory development, and the growing need for flexible solutions to support grid stability, Econergy has successfully executed multiple bankable commercial agreements, the update reads.

Rătești, Romania’s largest solar power plant, was completed in late 2023. The facility northwest of Bucharest, in Argeș county, has 155 MW in peak capacity. Econergy is planning to add a 120 MW battery energy storage system.

Părău was commissioned in late 2024. The PV plant of 92 MW is in Brașov county in the central part of Romania.

The Părău 2 project is for 342 MW, together with 150 MW of battery storage. It won a 15-year contract for difference (CfD) at the country’s first round of renewable energy auctions.

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January 9, 2026
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After adding PV unit, Slovenian gas power plant TEB launches battery project

The management of the Brestanica gas power plant in Slovenia has decided to diversify its activities by installing a battery energy storage system (BESS) of 40 MW in operating power and 80 MWh in capacity. The project follows the construction of a ground-mounted solar power plant on the facility’s premises and photovoltaic units on roofs and a parking canopy.

Brestanica Thermal Power Plant – Termoelektrarna Brestanica (TEB) is contributing to the flexibility of Slovenia’s energy system with its investments, Naš stik reported. Due to preventive maintenance and rapid response, electricity output reached 35 GWh in 2025, compared to the planned 25 GWh, the report adds.

The firm issued its development strategy for 2025 to 2030 last year and, based on it, decided to launch a project for a two-hour 40 MW battery energy storage system. It translates to 80 MWh in capacity.

The project will strengthen the flexibility of the energy system, enable more efficient integration of renewable sources and confirm TEB’s focus on modern and sustainable solutions, the article adds. “With the investment in the battery storage facility, we are laying the foundations for a reliable and flexible energy future,” Brestanica Thermal Power Plant said.

Among the other priorities for this year are corporate and cybersecurity.

Brestanica Thermal Power Plant is part of state-owned GEN Group. GEN energija, their parent company, operates the Krško nuclear power plant, also known by the acronym NEK and, in Slovenian, JEK. The gas power plant is also in the municipality of Krško, near Slovenia’s border with Croatia.

TEB put into operation a ground-mounted 466 kW solar power plant on its premises last year. Before that, in 2009 and 2010, the gas plant’s operator built two rooftop PV units and one on a parking canopy. They have 170 kW in combined peak capacity.

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January 8, 2026
by in News

After adding PV unit, Slovenian gas power plant TEB launches battery project

The management of the Brestanica gas power plant in Slovenia has decided to diversify its activities by installing a battery energy storage system (BESS) of 40 MW in operating power and 80 MWh in capacity. The project follows the construction of a ground-mounted solar power plant on the facility’s premises and photovoltaic units on roofs and a parking canopy.

Brestanica Thermal Power Plant – Termoelektrarna Brestanica (TEB) is contributing to the flexibility of Slovenia’s energy system with its investments, Naš stik reported. Due to preventive maintenance and rapid response, electricity output reached 35 GWh in 2025, compared to the planned 25 GWh, the report adds.

The firm issued its development strategy for 2025 to 2030 last year and, based on it, decided to launch a project for a two-hour 40 MW battery energy storage system. It translates to 80 MWh in capacity.

The project will strengthen the flexibility of the energy system, enable more efficient integration of renewable sources and confirm TEB’s focus on modern and sustainable solutions, the article adds. “With the investment in the battery storage facility, we are laying the foundations for a reliable and flexible energy future,” Brestanica Thermal Power Plant said.

Among the other priorities for this year are corporate and cybersecurity.

Brestanica Thermal Power Plant is part of state-owned GEN Group. GEN energija, their parent company, operates the Krško nuclear power plant, also known by the acronym NEK and, in Slovenian, JEK. The gas power plant is also in the municipality of Krško, near Slovenia’s border with Croatia.

TEB put into operation a ground-mounted 466 kW solar power plant on its premises last year. Before that, in 2009 and 2010, the gas plant’s operator built two rooftop PV units and one on a parking canopy. They have 170 kW in combined peak capacity.

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