Voltalia completes 140MW solar plant in Albania
Pamela Largue
Posted on: 18 October 2023
Voltalia has stated that its Karavasta solar plant| located in the Fier district| south of Albania| is ready to generate power.
French renewable energy company Voltalia has stated that its Karavasta solar plant, located in the Fier district, south of Albania, is ready to generate power.
The Karavasta solar plant has a capacity of 140MW and according to Voltalia is the largest in Albania as well as in the Western Balkans.
It took less than 18 months to build the farm, which covers approximately 200 hectares.
The plant can provide enough electricity to power 220,000 residents and is expected to start producing power in the coming weeks.
The project will prevent over 29,165 tonnes of CO2 per annum and will help the Albanian government achieve its goal of 54.4% of renewable energy in the country's gross energy consumption by 2030.
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Sébastien Clerc, CEO of Voltalia, stated: "Voltalia thanks all stakeholders who have made the Karavasta project a reality, particularly the Albanian Council of Ministers, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy, as well as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. I also warmly thank everyone on our team who contributed to this success. Karavasta is a shining example of how quickly decarbonised and competitive local electricity production can be implemented."
Voltalia has been present in Albania since 2018. Despite being unsuccessful in the country's first solar tender, the firm participated in the 2020 and 2021 tenders and was awarded the Karavasta Solar and Spitalla solar projects.
The competitive tenders were organised the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy of the Republic of Albania and sponsored by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
According to the International Renewable Energy Agency, Albania has large solar power potential due to high insolation levels. Hydropower accounts for the largest share of the country's electricity generation, representing around 95% of Albania's installed power capacity.
