Prishtina, 29 March, 2024
With a price of 48.88 euros per MWh, the “Orllati” consortium with companies from our diaspora in Switzerland, Germany and Kosovo was announced today as the winner of the first solar auction in the Republic of Kosovo, in a competitive and transparent process, with a favorable price for construction of the solar power plant of 100 megawatts, in Kramovike, Municipality of Rahovec.
At the event organized by the Ministry of Economy, with the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, was also present, who started his speech in front of the audience by mentioning the five competing companies from France, Turkey, Egypt and Switzerland and Kosovo, all leaders of the sector, which, as he said, none of them were there by chance.
This process, which started in 2022, was successfully completed today, Prime Minister Kurti said. He estimated that we are already enjoying the results of this work, not only with the conclusion of our first auction, but with the reinforcement of the status of our country as a preferred destination for energy investments, thanks to stable policies and a safe environment to do business.
“Electricity capacities coincide with the economic development of a country. “Each new megawatt installed represents a greater potential for production and economic growth, as well as improving social well-being,” said the Prime Minister.
He emphasized that as the Government we aim and work to create an energy sector that is safe, that places the citizen of the Republic at the center, and that keeps pace with world developments and that the 100 megawatt solar auction is exactly a reflection of these goals.
With the addition of 100 new megawatts in energy production, Prime Minister Kurti emphasized that with them we reduce the dependence on the expensive import of electricity, where in order to realize the capacities, the winning company will invest over 70 million euros.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Economy, Artane Rizvanolli, said that the Solar Auction of 100 megawatts, which is concluded today, is the first such competitive process, which lays a cornerstone of the new energy sector in Kosovo.
“Our goal was to have a large project, so as to make sure that the economy of scale would guarantee the most affordable price of energy for our citizens”, emphasized the minister, adding that it was insisted that the auction be done on land public, in a specific predetermined location, so that everyone is given an equal opportunity.
Prime Minister Kurti’s complete speech:
Dear Deputy Prime Minister, Besnik Bislimi,
Honorable Minister of Economy, Artane Rizvanolli,
Honorable Acting Director of USAID in Kosovo, Kerry Monaghan Hogler,
Dear representatives of the government cabinet, ministers, deputy ministers,
Dear MPs and representatives of other institutions in Kosovo,
The honorable ambassador of the Republic of Albania, Mr. Petrit Malaj,
The honorable mayor of the Municipality of Rahovec, Smajl Latifi,
Dear representatives of the bidding companies in our first solar auction,
Dear attendees,
Ladies and gentleman,
I want to start exactly with the companies. Five companies from France, Turkey, Egypt and Switzerland and Kosovo, all leaders of the sector, none here by chance.
For more than a year, the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo, led by the Ministry of Economy, have worked hard and with honor to develop a transparent, fair and equal process.
We are already enjoying the results of this work. Not only with the conclusion of our first auction, but with the reinforcement of the status of our country as a preferred destination for energy investments, thanks to stable policies and a safe environment for doing business.
Electricity capacities coincide with the economic development of a country. Each new megawatt installed represents a greater potential for production and economic growth, as well as improving social welfare.
For us, the development of megawatts is also a reflection of the principles of governance. As the Government, we aim and work to create an energy sector that is safe, that places the citizen of the Republic at the center, and that keeps pace with world developments.
The 100 megawatt solar auction is a reflection of these goals.
We say, for a secure energy sector because we are adding 100 new megawatts to our energy production. With them, we reduce the dependence on the expensive import of electricity, and to realize the capacities, the company that emerges as the winner today will invest over 70 million euros.
We say, for an energy sector that puts the citizen at its center, because by choosing the competitive procedure we have ensured that we will obtain the lowest price for the purchase of energy. This energy will be clean and will protect the environment and everyone’s health. We have decided to build the solar park on public land, because it will serve the public.
And, we are saying, for an energy sector that keeps pace with world developments, because through it we are building one of the largest solar parks in Europe. And for the first time in our region, we are developing a process like todays where prices will be given in real time and with complete transparency.
All this would not be possible without the tireless dedication of the Ministry of Economy, other public institutions involved, and the cooperation with the valuable assistance provided by USAID. I want to congratulate each and every one of you who contributed.
By promoting professionalism and respect for best procurement practices, we have paved the way for the realization of our investment package for building the capacities of renewable resources. They include 950 megawatts worth 1.2 billion euros, starting with our first auction. With the success of our first auction.
Although today only one company will be the winner, I invite all the other companies to stay with us and realize the future projects together. Just as attractive, just as important.
And I am not prolonging it any longer since the main speech is given by Minister Artane Rizvanolli, the main speech is given by the Evaluation Commission and unlike renewable resources, the time that passes is not like that.
Thank you, see you at the next auction!
Last modified: April 2, 2024