The government of Albania has annouced plans for launching the first tender for the construction of utility-scale on-shore wind power plants, which will make a major contribution to improve the country’s future energy supply and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The tender, expected to be launched early in 2021, will be the first in a planned series of investments in wind energy projects and was supported by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) with additional financial grant support of €650,000 provided by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).

Matteo Colangeli, EBRD Head of Albania, said: “We are delighted to expand our partnership with the Albanian authorities to start up the wind power sector, building on the successful experience with solar. We are confident that transparent and well prepared tenders for wind can deliver attractive energy prices and quality investors for Albania”.

Patrik Meier, Deputy Head of Mission at the Swiss Embassy in Albania, added: “I am happy that this innovative energy auction in Albania will contribute to improve sustainable energy supply, enhance resilience to climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This is an inspiring model for promoting transparency, competitiveness and participation of private sector which will trigger new initiatives for scaling-up renewable energy investments in the country.”