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Turkey launches solar, wind power auctions with November deadlines

The Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources of Turkey issued a public call for solar and wind power auctions for 2 GW in total. It will receive the applications on November 4 and November 18, respectively. One competitive bidding process is for a floating solar power project of 35 MW.

Following the successful auctions for renewable energy projects that were completed early this year, Turkey kicked off another round. It is also for 2 GW of overall connection capacity, in light of the country’s ambition to grow its combined solar and wind power capacity to 120 GW by 2035. The two technologies reached 37.1 GW together a month ago, out of 120.2 GW in total.

Auctions are held under the Renewable Energy Zones (REZ) state support mechanism. The scheme is better known by its Turkish acronym YEKA.

Ten solar power areas in eight provinces

The upcoming solar energy auctions, REZ SPP 2025 (YEKA GES 2025), are for 850 MW altogether. There are ten areas in eight provinces designated for bidding: Kahramanmaraş, Mardin and Van, with 40 MW each, Bolu and Elazığ (50 MW each), Erzurum 1-3 (100 MW, 150 MW and 85 MW), Eskişehir (260 MW) and Demirköprü in Manisa province, with 35 MW.

The upcoming solar power auctions will include Turkey’s first bidding for a floating photovoltaic plant

Notably, the last one is for a planned floating solar power plant on the reservoir of the Demirköprü hydropower plant. The facility on the Gediz river, east of Izmir, is owned by state-owned Electricity Generation Corp. (EÜAŞ). Turkey now hosts only two small floating photovoltaic units, and the auction will be the first of its kind.

Applications will be received on November 4, the ministry said and added it would subsequently publish a schedule for bidding.

Wind power capacity quota is 1.15 GW

Participants can apply on November 18 for the wind energy round of auctions, REZ WPP 2025 (YEKA RES 2025). It is for an overall 1.15 GW in six areas.

Investors will compete for 500 MW in Sivas province, a 140 MW project in Aydın and Denizli, 120 MW in Kütahya and three areas in Balıkesir – 160 MW, 120 MW and 110 MW.

Winners to submit guarantees of EUR 75,000 per MW for PV projects, EUR 100,000 per MW for wind

Potential bidders will pay a fee of EUR 1,550 for each auction they apply for. They must submit letters of guarantee lasting one year and worth EUR 15,000 per MW for photovoltaics and EUR 20,000 per MW for wind power. Winners will submit 10-year guarantees before signing their contracts: EUR 75,000 per MW and EUR 100,000 per MW, respectively.

The ceiling or starting price is EUR 55 per MWh and the floor prices are EUR 32.5 per MWh for solar power and EUR 35 per MWh for wind. If bids hit the floor, another auction will be held between the competitors, like in the previous round. It is for a so-called contribution share that they are ready to pay. The minimum is EUR 10,000 per MW of planned capacity and the highest bid wins.

Successful participants can sell electricity on the free market for five years in the case of solar power plants, while the period lasts six years for wind. After that, both categories enter a 20-year scheme with a guaranteed price.

Turkey tops 120 GW in total electricity capacity

At the end of July, electricity capacity in Turkey totaled 120.2 GW, the ministry revealed. Hydropower accounted for 26.9% or 32.3 GW, compared to 23.4 GW in photovoltaics (19.5%) and 13.7 GW of wind power, translating to 11.4%.

The share of biofuel and waste was 1.9%, with 2.34 GW, and geothermal power plants had 1.73 GW altogether, which is 1.4%. Gas power plants in Turkey had 24.7 GW in combined capacity (20.6%). The remainder is coal: 21.9 GW or 18.3%.

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Montenegro’s power utility gets EUR 25 million loan to expand Gvozd wind farm

Montenegrin state-owned power utility Elektroprivreda Crne Gore (EPCG) said it signed a EUR 25 million loan contract with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) for expanding the Gvozd wind farm to 75.6 MW. Once fully operational, it will be the largest wind farm in Montenegro.

The Gvozd 2 project involves the installation of three additional wind turbines, with a combined capacity of 21 MW. It will increase the wind farm’s total projected annual production to over 210 GWh, enough to cover the needs of about 36,000 households and reduce CO2 emissions by almost 137,000 tons a year, EPCG said following the signing of the loan agreement.

The expansion project involves three additional wind turbines with a combined capacity of 21 MW

An EUR 82 million loan for the first, 54.6 MW phase of the wind farm, including the grid connection infrastructure, was signed with the EBRD in June 2023. Gvozd will be EPCG’s first large-scale power generation facility built in more than 40 years.

Construction on the first phase, featuring eight turbines, began in November 2024. EPCG expects the power plant to enter trial operation by the end of this year, with a projected annual electricity output of 150 GWh.

Construction on the first, 54.6 MW phase of wind farm Gvozd was launched in late 2024

Commissioning of the full 75 MW capacity is expected by the end of 2026, according to a press release from the EBRD.

A key step in Montenegro’s energy transition

Milutin Đukanović, President of EPCG’s Board of Directors, described the expansion of Gvozd as a key step in Montenegro’s energy transition. In the press release, EPCG stated that the wind park would significantly contribute to achieving the European goal to produce electricity exclusively from clean sources by 2050 at the latest.

Minister of Energy and Mining Admir Šahmanović noted that the Gvozd project would strengthen Montenegro’s energy security, reduce CO2 emissions, and pave the way for sustainable development.

Francesco Corbo, the EBRD’s Regional Head of Energy for the Western Balkans and Croatia, recalled that the bank, through its Renewable Energy Market Accelerator (REMA) program, helped the Montenegrin authorities organize the country’s first renewable energy auction, for solar projects totaling 250 MW.

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German startup Voltfang turning used EV batteries into energy storage for solar, wind

German startup Voltfang has opened a plant to manufacture energy storage units for solar and wind from used electric vehicle batteries. The company says the facility is the largest of its kind in Europe, with annual output set to reach 250 MWh in 2026.

The plant in Aachen will produce second-life battery storage systems for commercial, industrial, and large-scale applications. Its annual output is planned to rise to 1 GWh by 2030.

The facility will assemble fridge-sized energy storage units that households and companies can use to store excess electricity generated by solar panels or wind turbines.

Voltfang’s batteries can be used by homes and businesses to store energy from solar or wind facilities

The plant employs around 100 people, and Voltfang claims it is the largest facility in Europe for repurposing lithium-ion batteries.

David Oudsandji, co-founder and managing director of Voltfang, said the company’s goal is to develop high-performance battery storage systems for German and European industry.

Voltfang hopes to turn a profit by next year, but Oudsandji noted that the supply of used EV batteries is still small, as most such vehicles are only a few years old.

The supply of used electric vehicle batteries is still limited

Another obstacle is that new batteries, mainly from China, are becoming increasingly efficient and affordable, while refurbishing old ones is a complex process.

On the other hand, it is more sustainable and helps create a circular economy and ensure energy independence, according to Oudsandji.

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Water shortages in Southeastern Europe point to desalination as strategic approach

Former Minister of Environment and Water of Bulgaria Borislav Sandov is urging the country’s authorities to deploy alternative water supply solutions, including desalination, to counter shortages. Greece is preparing a radical change in its water management model. Turkey got its first floating seawater purification platform, running on solar and wind power.

Southeastern Europe is among the most jeopardized regions in the world in the context of global warming. The lack of water has the most drastic effect on everything from wildlife to food production, energy and public health. Bulgaria’s former Minister of Environment and Water Borislav Sandov warned that over half a million people in the country are at risk of water shortages.

Eastern and northeastern Bulgaria have a persistent issue with droughts and lack of water, necessitating a switch toward alternative forms of supply in the next five to 10 years, including seawater desalination plants, he recently told bTV.

In addition to climatic factors, there are serious shortcomings in water management, together with theft and corruption, Sandov claimed. He pointed to an example where drastically undersized pipes of poor quality were installed in one area, resulting in constant breakdowns and supply interruptions.

Sandov attributed some of the water stress to fragmented management between different local, regional and national institutions. In his words, as much as 10% of all settlements in Bulgaria, though mostly small ones, aren’t covered by waterworks and sewerage systems. Moreover, 44% of the water in the network isn’t measured in volume terms at the entry point and 50% of the water sources don’t have a valid permit from the competent authority, he added.

Notably, a quarter of the population in neighboring Serbia occasionally or permanently lacks safe drinking water from waterworks systems.

Greece to radically change its water management system

Greece decided to get ahead of the droughts and heatwaves. The government has promised radical change in water management: a more functional system with more investments and new technologies, including desalination, but also recycling.

Tourism in the summer months exacerbates the water stress. On some islands, demand surges by up to 30 times. It creates conflict with the needs for irrigation for food production. Greek islands mostly use underground aquifers with easily exhaustible capacity.

Rainfall and snowfall in the country are gradually decreasing.

Similar to Bulgaria, water management is spread across hundreds of operators and institutions, lacking coordination. Losses in drinking water supply amount to as much as 40%, in comparison with up to a staggering 60% in irrigation.

The government in Athens promised water would remain a public good

According to a study by Deloitte with data from 2022, more than EUR 10 billion is necessary for investments in the two segments, excluding Attica. It is where Athens is located. Another EUR 500 million to EUR 700 million is needed for the peninsula.

Government-controlled power utility Public Power Corp. (PPC) will reportedly enter the game, not least because municipal water and sewerage firms owe it more than EUR 400 million. The company would convert debts into minority stakes in three centralized entities: for the regions of Athens and Thessaloniki and the rest of the country, the media learned.

PPC can contribute with its knowhow and experience in the construction and operation of dams and hydropower plants.

Importantly, the government vowed to keep water a public good.

Floating desalination platform with hybrid power plant put into operation in western Turkey

Right opposite the Greek island of Kos, offshore Bitez Marina, the Bodrum Municipality inaugurated Turkey’s first floating seawater purification platform. It runs entirely on renewable energy, producing 20 cubic metres of clean, non-potable water every day.

The project was developed in partnership with Istanbul-based company Blue Hybrid Solutions. The facility is powered by solar panels and two small wind turbines. It delivers water to an onshore tank for irrigation, emergency needs and, when required, public consumption, the local authority said.

Greece is already conducting a massive project for energy independence of numerous non-interconnected islands, including investments in desalination powered by renewables. It is also working to link other islands to the mainland grid.

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WindEurope: EU must boost investment in ports, ships to meet offshore wind targets

Europe needs to increase investment in ports and shipbuilding, which play a crucial role in offshore wind development, to achieve its goals in this energy segment, according to wind industry association WindEurope. The European Commission’s upcoming strategies for ports and the maritime industry are expected to create conditions for the necessary investment.

The European Union aims to increase its offshore wind capacity from 36.6 GW to 84 GW by 2030, but one of the most pressing challenges it faces is the lack of timely investment in vessel manufacturing and port infrastructure, WindEurope warns.

To meet its 2030 energy security targets, the EU must install at least 10 GW of offshore wind each year. After 2030, this figure will have to increase to 15 GW a year, says WindEurope, noting that robust and resilient port infrastructure and supply chain are key for the achievement of the offshore goals.

After 2030, the EU will have to install 15 GW of offshore wind a year

Over the past three years, over EUR 6.7 billion has been invested in port infrastructure and new vessels across the EU, but a further EUR 6.4 billion is required, the association explains, noting that the European Commission is now working on its EU Ports Strategy.

All offshore wind equipment is transported through ports, and they often serve as bases for the operation and maintenance of offshore wind farms. Ports also host local wind energy supply chains and offer space to store and, in the case of floating turbines, assemble large components, the association notes.

Investment in port infrastructure over the past three years has amounted to EUR 4.4 billion, which can ensure that the EU meets its offshore wind targets, but an additional EUR 2.4 billion is needed to put the bloc on track to achieve post-2030 offshore deployment goals, according to WindEurope.

To make this happen, the EU’s strategy must seek to mobilize additional funding, streamline permitting, and establish planning at the EU level, the association recommends.

A further EUR 4 billion in investment is needed for new ships to handle next-generation wind turbines

When it comes to vessels, they should be a key area of focus in the EU Industrial Maritime Strategy, which aims to enhance the competitiveness, sustainability, and resilience of Europe’s maritime manufacturing sector, WindEurope says.

In the past three years, the EU has invested at least EUR 2.3 billion in new vessels, but it will have to spend a further EUR 4 billion to keep pace with wind turbine technology innovation and handle the upcoming generation of turbines with capacities exceeding 15 MW, it explains.

The strategy should also enable the decarbonization of maritime operations by supporting the shift to clean fuels, such as electricity, ammonia, and hydrogen, and by providing funding for retrofitting vessels and building new zero-emission ships, according to WindEurope.

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New systems protecting birds from wind turbine collisions

Wind power technology is often criticized because birds collide with turbine blades. As the number of wind farms in Southeast Europe grows, bird protection is increasingly important. A solution exists. Croatian environmental consultancy Oikon has become the regional representative for three systems that detect the presence of birds and temporarily halt wind turbines to prevent collisions and reduce the impact on biodiversity.

Wind farms produce clean energy and contribute to the fight against climate change. On the other hand, wind turbines can often harm biodiversity. Birds’ vision has evolved toward finding food and detecting predators—but not for avoiding tall turbine towers with fast-spinning blades. To help prevent bird collisions, so-called shutdown on demand (SDOD) solutions stop turbines when necessary.

SDOD refers to the temporary shutdown of turbines when individuals from protected or sensitive bird species are detected entering a high-risk collision zone.

Oikon is the regional representative for three bird detection and turbine control systems

Bird protection is increasingly important amid the wind energy expansion in Southeast Europe. Croatian environmental consultancy Oikon Ltd. – Institute of Applied Ecology announced that it has become the regional representative for three internationally recognized systems for bird detection and turbine control technologies.

SDOD is rapidly becoming a standard requirement for wind projects operating near sensitive bird habitats, Oikon’s CEO Dalibor Hatić says. “These technologies are already being requested by permitting authorities. We’re helping developers access proven and reliable systems to fulfil those obligations,” he asserted.

One of the systems that Oikon provides to its clients is IdentiFlight from the United States. It is three-dimensional, with artificial intelligence and high-speed cameras to identify birds in real time. Installed on separate towers, it gives optimal coverage of protected areas.

Photo: Identiflight (Ryan Luttrell / Oikon)

Max, developed by Dutch company Robin Radar Systems, uses a 3D radar specifically designed for bird monitoring. It enables the tracking of birds and bats over long distances, both day and night. The technology can simultaneously monitor and log thousands of flights with high precision.

Photo: Dutch company Robin Radar Systems named its solution Max (Oikon)

AVES Wind, the third system in the portfolio, was developed by German company ProTecBird. The device is installed on the turbine itself. It combines pan-tilt-zoom cameras, real-time tracking software and AI to detect and identify bird species, calculate their 3D position, control turbine operations and generate documentation for regulatory compliance.

Photo: AVES Wind system, developed by German company ProTecBird (Oikon)

SDOD reduces bird mortality and energy production losses

Unlike long turbine curtailments or seasonal restrictions, SDOD is activated only when needed – when birds enter a risk zone. The approach reduces both bird mortality and energy production losses.

“Oikon’s role is to make these internationally proven technologies available in Southeast Europe and ensure their integration aligns with local ecological, technical, and regulatory conditions. The company supports developers in meeting the requirements set by the European Union and national nature protection laws, including mitigation measures often mandated by environmental authorities,” the company said.

It pointed out all SDOD systems can be used for research purposes and that they utilize high-quality military-grade resilient components and technology, ensuring their functionality regardless of weather conditions.

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With 152 MW of wind power installed in H1 2025, Greece continues low trajectory

Just 152.2 MW of wind farms were installed in Greece in the first half of 2025, thus continuing the low trajectory of recent years.

According to the Hellenic Wind Energy Association (HWEA or ELETAEN), total wind capacity in the country reached 5,507 MW at the end of June. In the first six months of the year, 37 new wind turbines were installed in Greece, with a capacity of 152.2 MW, representing a total investment of EUR 180 million.

New capacity doubled compared to the same period of 2024, but is not enough to support a more balanced renewable mix, HWEA said. In comparison, photovoltaics consistently add similar capacity in just one month on average.

The association also mentioned that currently there is 1 GW of wind projects under construction, or contracted. The majority are expected to launch operations within the next 18 months. There is another 300 MW selected through auctions for which letters of guarantee were submitted, and it is expected to reach completion. As a result, total capacity is projected to reach 6.5 GW within the period.

HWEA: Red tape is delaying 846 MW of wind projects

HWEA stressed that due to red tape, the construction of over half of the wind power capacity awarded at renewable energy auctions in the period 2018-2022 has been delayed. Namely, 1.592 MW was selected, but just 746 MW is operational today.

“If they had been completed on time, these wind projects, with a total capacity of 846 MW, would have provided more cheap energy and permanent relief to Greek consumers and the national economy,” HWEA pointed out.

Terna Energy and Vestas lead the pack

When it comes to wind energy’s geographical dispersion, Central Greece (Sterea Ellada) leads with 2.427 MW, followed by 709 MW in the Peloponnese and 535 MW in Eastern Thrace.

The top 5 market players are Terna Energy (1,034 MW – 18.8%), owned by Masdar, Motor Oil Hellas’s subsidiary MORE (774 MW – 14.1%), Iberdrola Rokas (409 MW – 7.4%), Principia (368 MW – 6.7%) and PPC Renewables (308 MW – 5.6%), which operates within state-controlled Public Power Corp. or PPC).

The most prominent wind turbine suppliers are Vestas, with 45.1% of the market, followed by Enercon, with 25.7%, and Siemens Gamesa, with 16.4%. They are trailed by Nordex, with 7.6%, GE Renewable Energy (now GE Vernova), with 3.7%, and EWT, Goldwind and Leitwind.

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Danish Eurowind Energy to build 220 MW solar park in Romania

Denmark-based renewable energy company Eurowind Energy has announced plans to develop a 220 MW solar park in Romania in an investment valued at EUR 174.8 million. It would be its largest solar park in Romania and one of the biggest in the country. In addition, the company ordered wind turbines from Vestas for its three projects in Romania.

Eurowind’s future solar park, located in Vișina in Dâmbovița County, will span 345 hectares, comprising over 400,000 photovoltaic panels. Its projected annual electricity output is 400 GWh, equivalent to the consumption of around 150,000 Romanian households.

The Vișina solar park is the fifth photovoltaic project developed by Eurowind in Romania, following those in Hălchiu, Măgurele, Pufești, and Teiuș. By the end of 2025, the company plans to operate a local portfolio of 124 MW, alongside a pipeline of about 7.5 GW of solar, wind, hybrid, and storage solutions, according to its website.

Vișina is Eurowind’s fifth solar project in Romania

The Teiuș Solar Park, with a capacity of 60.2 MW, was commissioned in April this year. The EUR 55 million project was developed in collaboration with local firm Teiuș Solar. Its planned annual production is 103.59 GWh of electricity.

Also in April, Eurowind signed a 12-year virtual power purchase agreement (PPA) in Romania for the supply of electricity from its Pecineaga wind park. The contract was signed with Sweden-based automotive manufacturer Autoliv.

Eurowind has ordered 143 MW of Vestas wind turbines for its wind farms in Romania

Wind turbine manufacturer Vestas said yesterday that Eurowind Energy has placed a 143 MW order for its Frumușița, Vector, and Pecineaga Northeast (NordEst) wind power projects in Romania. The contract includes the supply and installation of 23 wind turbines from the EnVentus platform, Vestas added.

In addition to wind and solar, Eurowind Energy’s portfolio includes hydrogen, biogas, power-to-heat, and battery storage projects. It operates in 16 markets across Europe and the United States, according to the Danish company’s website.

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Montenegrin power utility to borrow EUR 25.6 million for phase 2 of Gvozd wind farm

Montenegro’s state-owned power utility Elektroprivreda Crne Gore (EPCG) plans to take out a EUR 25.6 million loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to finance the second phase of the Gvozd wind farm project, with an installed capacity of 21 MW. The first phase of wind farm Gvozd, which is under construction, will have a capacity of 54.6 MW.

Announcing its request for government consent, EPCG stated that the capacity increase through the second phase of Gvozd would improve the security of electricity supply, increase the share of renewable energy in the country’s energy mix, and help Montenegro meet its international climate policy commitments.

EPCG previously announced that it expected the start of construction of the Gvozd 2 wind farm in early 2026.

The new document also states that EPCG has submitted a viability assessment of the Gvozd 1 and Gvozd 2 projects, prepared by German consultancy Fichtner GmbH & Co. KG for the purpose of securing financing from the EBRD.

The first phase of wind farm Gvozd will cost EUR 82 million

The first phase of the Gvozd wind farm, with eight turbines, is financed by an EUR 82 million loan from the EBRD. The groundbreaking ceremony was held in November 2024, and EPCG expects the power plant to enter trial operation by the end of this year. Its planned annual electricity output is 150 GWh.

A contract for the design, procurement, supply, and installation of equipment, as well as the commissioning and long-term maintenance of the future wind power plant, was signed with German company Nordex. EPCG said at the time that wind farm Gvozd would be its first large-scale power generation facility built in more than 40 years.

SCADA and ADMS will be introduced through a EUR 35 million project

In the announcement, EPCG also says it signed an agreement with the EBRD in January on financing a project to introduce the SCADA and ADMS systems into Montenegro’s power system. The implementation of SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) and ADMS (advanced distribution management system) is a key step towards modernizing the electricity distribution network, the document states.

SCADA enables remote control, monitoring, and automation of electricity distribution, while ADMS supports the integration of renewable energy sources. Together, these systems significantly improve the reliability, efficiency, and security of the power system, EPCG explains.

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Global Wind Day 2025: Wind energy creates new jobs

Global Wind Day, celebrated every year on June 15, was first marked in 2007 as a joint initiative of WindEurope and the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC). The European Union will need more than 200,000 trained workers in the wind energy sector in the future, which is why this year’s focus of Global Wind Day is on the people who work in the industry.

Global Wind Day aims to raise awareness of the importance of wind as a renewable energy source and its role in reshaping energy systems, decarbonizing the economy, and tackling climate change. The event is celebrated through various activities around the world, organized by international organizations, national associations, and companies operating in the wind energy sector.

Wind energy is now one of the most affordable forms of power generation in large parts of the world. In 2023, global wind energy capacity exceeded one terawatt. Last year alone, a record-breaking 127 gigawatts were added. According to the Global Wind Report published by GWEC, the countries with the most newly installed capacity last year were China, the United States, Brazil, India, and Germany.

The use of wind energy dates back to ancient Egypt. The first modern wind turbines were installed around four decades ago, standing 120 metres tall and placed on land. Today, the tallest wind turbine is fixed to the seabed and is 260 metres tall. Innovations in turbine technology have advanced to the point where we now have floating wind turbines, and soon, offshore wind catchers may become a reality.

Wind industry employs 370,000 people in Europe

This year, Global Wind Day shines a light on the people working in the wind industry. Around the world, children and adults alike are exploring how wind energy works, its potential to change the world, and the job opportunities it offers.

Today, wind farms produce around 20% of Europe’s electricity. The EU aims to increase this to 35% by 2030 and over 50% by 2050.

Currently, the wind industry in Europe employs 370,000 people – a number that could reach 600,000 by 2050. However, a major challenge lies ahead: Europe will need to train more than 200,000 workers to meet the growing demand in this field.

Share your experience in wind industry on Instagram and TikTok

Last year, the #WorkingInWind campaign was launched to raise awareness about the wide range of jobs available in the wind sector. This year, the goal is to inspire younger generations to pursue careers in wind energy.

An impressive 91% of Gen Z use Instagram, and 86% are on TikTok. Many turn to these platforms not only for news but also for inspiration and discovery.

WindEurope and GWEC have invited all current professionals in the wind industry to join the campaign by sharing stories about their career paths – how they got started, what they do, why their work matters, and what a typical day on the job looks like.

According to the campaign guidelines, the story should be shared on the mentioned social media platforms in the form of a photo with text or a short video, using the hashtags #GlobalWindDay and #WorkingInWind.