print mail WIND FARM PROJECT ON ALBANIAN COAST

Taking into account the current conditions in Albania, it is estimated that by 2020, around 4% of the electricity generated can come from wind energy sources (i.e. some 400 GWh/year). In that respect, the priority has been given to the construction of 20 wind farms nearby 20 pumping stations, which are situated along the Adriatic cost, safeguarding the land from floods.

Based on some studies carried out by the NEA, in the costal lowland nearby pumping stations, electricity demand identified has been around 30 GWh/year or 0.7% of the actual domestic power generation. In these zones average speed of wind, throughout the year, is around 4-6 m/s (at the 10 m height), and the average annual energy density is 150 W/m2. This potential is considered to be of low level, but it could be meliorate by tending the altitude over the 50 m, with the velocity of 6-8 m/s, and the energetic density of 250-600 W/m2. 
This project activity foresees the implementation of the concessionary wind farm, as a pilot one for the beginning. The pilot project foresees construction of wind farm with total installed capacity of 15 MW, to tap the wind resource potential in the area of Sarande by erecting a number of wind turbines with a rated capacity of 1.5 MW, 1MW and 0.6MW per turbine. This could result in 32 GWh/year of electrical power, as a supplement to the national energy balance. The region of Sarande has been suggested because data gathered from meteorological stations in this area show a relatively favorable wind potential at the 10 m height.
The measurements in the chosen region for the period of one year should be done, before the project implementation.

Applied methodology

AMS-I.D – "Renewable electricity generation for a grid"

GHG offset

It is estimated that the project has a capacity to avoid emission of approximately 150.000tCO2eq for the period 2008-2018.

Sustainability

The project shall contribute to the sustainable development of the Republic of Albania in the following ways:

  • it will support use of clean, indigenous, and renewable energy technologies, and at the same time, it will provide financial and economic benefits to the local communities;
  • it will contribute to the long-term development of the energy sector, taking into account that the project activity is in line with policies of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Energy, i.e. with adopted national energy strategy.

Current status

The described project activity has been defined according to data from the existing official documents such as strategies, technology needs, assessments and so on.

Estimated investment costs

The preliminary estimated investment cost is approx. 15 millions EUR.

Local partners

Ministry of Economy, Trade and Energy;
National Agency of Energy