Voltalia Kicks-Off the Construction of 140 MW Karavasta Solar Project in Western Balkans

Voltalia, a global player in renewable energy, begins construction at Karavasta, a 140-megawatt photovoltaic plant.

The groundbreaking ceremony held for the Karavasta Solar Site in Albania in the presence of Mr. Edi Rama (Prime Minister), Mrs. Belinda Balluku (Minister of Energy) and Mrs. Elisabeth Barsacq (French Ambassador to Tirana).

Voltalia was awarded a 30-year concession to the Karavasta photovoltaic plant in 2020. Voltalia was granted the 140-megawatt project by the Albanian Council of Ministers in January 2020. This decision was made following a competitive bidding process that was launched by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy, with support from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development EBRD. The tender stipulates that Karavasta will sell half of the electricity to the Albanian public sector through a 15 year sales contract. The remaining 50% will be sold to private operators through long-term contracts. The plant is expected be in commission by the second half 2023.

The annual electricity consumption of 220,000 people will be covered by the plant, which is twice that of cities like Vlora and Kamza in Albania. It will not emit more than 96,500 tons of CO2 annually, which is equivalent to 9.5% of emissions from the Albanian industrial sector.

“We are proud to support the Albanian transition to energy. The Karavasta project, which is large in size, is an important element of the policy to increase the country’s energy independence by providing an economically competitive and efficient energy source. I would like to thank our teams in Albania, Europe and for supporting this project,” stated Sebastien Clerc CEO of Voltalia.