The Ministry of Economy has published a call for proposals for Kosovo’s first wind energy auction of up to 100 MW. At the launch, officials highlighted Kosovo’s potential in this field, noting that around 17 percent of the country’s territory experiences stable winds. Renewable energy was also emphasized as the smartest economic choice.
At the launch ceremony, acting Minister of Economy Artane Rizvanolli stated that this auction will mean more domestic production and less dependence on imports.
“Today, with the publication of the request for proposals, we are moving forward with the first wind auction, a competitive process for a targeted capacity of up to 100 MW with a 15-year support scheme. What makes this project important for Kosovo is, first, that wind resources help precisely where we need them most, in the evening hours and during the cold months when energy demand rises. The wind production profile matches well with our consumption profile as a country. Therefore, this is not just clean energy but highly valuable energy for our energy security and independence. Second, Kosovo has real potential in this field, with around 17 percent of the territory experiencing stable winds above 6 meters per second, and in mountainous areas wind speeds reach up to 8 meters per second, which are optimal conditions for developing wind capacities above the European average,” she said.
Christian Böttcher, chargé d’affaires at the German Embassy in Prishtina, noted that this auction will significantly contribute to domestic investments.
“Kosovo’s first solar auction last year demonstrated that competitive processes can deliver strong results. I now look forward to seeing both solar panels and wind turbines move from planning to construction. I must admit, I am truly impressed by this modern technology and enjoy seeing it in action. Renewable energy is not only the cleanest option for Kosovo but increasingly the smartest economic choice. Even without considering environmental and health costs, renewable resources can compete with conventional production. Once these costs are taken into account, as should be in Kosovo’s path toward the European Union, the argument for renewable energy becomes clear and unavoidable. Looking forward, long-term policy clarity remains essential. Tools such as the national energy and climate plan and decarbonization strategy are key to providing predictability for investors and institutions alike,” he said.
Böttcher also emphasized that Germany expects Kosovo’s commitment to the green energy transition to remain strong.
The wind energy project is one of the largest infrastructure projects in the country, said Visar Perani, representative of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) for Kosovo and North Macedonia.
“This is the first time we are holding a wind auction, a relatively complex project, but one we have seen in many countries around the world, so why not in Kosovo? We are very proud of this. The project targets up to 150 MW in its first phase. We have three competitors who will submit bids, and we are very pleased that the first announcement already produced three qualified bidders, all with excellent experience, and I believe they will submit excellent offers. This project is among the largest infrastructure projects in Kosovo, because when the planned 150 MW are implemented in two phases, the investments will exceed 220–230 million euros,” he said.
