Albania seeks to become major wind energy producer

Albania is building its first wind park and plans to export energy to Italy under a new initiative. Two companies -- Italy's Moncada Costruzioni and Enpower Albania -- are behind the project, which could provide a capacity of 500 MW.
Production is expected to begin by 2010. Energy will travel through a power cable stretching from the Albanian port of Vlora to Italy's Brindisi, at a depth of 825 m.

"In the near future, [the cable] could enhance the import of energy produced by conventional plants that [we] intend to develop on Albanian soil," said Moncada Construzioni. In August, the Albanian government approved the use of forest and pastureland in the municipality of Vlora for development of the wind park.
Experts say the potential for similar projects exists at a number of locations in Albania -- especially in the lowlands, along the coast and in the hills. The Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERE) has now licensed several companies to develop this potential.

Last year, the first licence went to the Hera company, which plans to build a wind farm in the area of Kapshtica and Bilisht, south-eastern Albania, with a capacity of 150 MW. The project will cost EUR 240 mm.
The Terpani Mountains near the southern city of Berat is another area planned for the development of wind energy. The project investment is estimated at EUR 460 mm, with an installed capacity of 225 MW.

Italgest, an Italian wind energy company, has proposed building a wind power plant near Kryevidhi, 50 km from Tirana.
The facility would generate 150 MW, and the company's investment will reach EUR 202 mm.