The government of Albania announced the results of the country’s first utility-scale bidder-selected site auction for onshore wind. Three bidders were awarded capacity totaling 222.48 MW in the country's third renewable energy auction and the first onshore wind auction.

The results presentation ceremony was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Belinda Balluku, Swiss Ambassador to the country Ruth Huber, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Country Director for Albania Ekaterina Solovova, as well as the EBRD expert staff who organized the auction procedures.

According to the results, the successful bidders were Total Eren with a bid of €44.88/MWh for a capacity of 75 MW; Guris with a bid of €74/MWh for 74.88 MW; and Verbund with a bid of €74.95/MWh for 72.6 MW.

With Total Eren’s bid, the result marks another record price for the country and the Western Balkans region.

Albania launched the auction in 2021, with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy running the tender. The EBRD has helped the Albanian authorities introduce competitive procurement processes for renewable energy projects.

"Albania has made remarkable progress towards meeting its renewable energy targets and implementing auctions. We are very pleased to have supported the first wind auction in the country with bidder-selected sites and look forward to launching the 300 MW solar auction. This success is a game changer for Albania, a testament to what can be achieved with the right policy framework and a government committed to delivering on their renewable energy targets", Gianpiero Nacci, EBRD Director, Sustainable Business and Infrastructure, said.

Ekaterina Solovova, EBRD Head of Albania, added that "we continue to be a strong partner to the Albanian authorities. We are proud to be the anchor financier of the Karavasta project, the first successfully auctioned solar plant in the country, and stand ready to continue leveraging financing for renewable energy, especially when we see solid and mature projects coming through as a result of sector reforms."

The Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) has provided funding for the technical assistance that covers the new tender, as well as for work on energy sector regulation that will enable renewable energy sources to be deployed. SECO is also financing the upcoming 300 MW solar auction.