Karavasta Solar was initiated following a call for tenders by the Albanian government for this project in 2022 and won by Voltalia, an international player in renewable energies. Trina Solar has partnered with Voltalia for this project and has been selected to provide its ultra-high performance Vertex dual-glass bifacial modules. They are mounted on single-axis trackers to suit the flat terrain of the plant, offering an installed capacity of 140 MWp.
The project is estimated to be live by end of 2023. It is set to yield 265 GWh per year, covering the annual electricity needs of 220,000 inhabitants and saving approximately 29,165 tonnes of CO2 per year.
PPA revenue model
Karavasta Solar is developed, built and operated by Voltalia, is financed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (ERBD) and will feature a PPA revenue model. This implies that 50% of the electricity produced will be sold through a 15-year sales contract to the Albanian public operator, while the remainder will be sold through long-term contracts to private operators.
Demonstrating Voltalia’s commitment to caring for the communities in which their projects are based, 1% of the company’s total investment in Karavasta Solar will go towards social initiatives in the area. Additionally, 30% or more of the workforce is sourced from the local community in Albania during both construction and operation. Around 200 people are employed during construction of the project, and during operation, there will be 10-15 direct employees and 20-50 indirect employees working on site.
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Constantin von Alvensleben, Country Manager of Voltalia Albania said: “Having launched Karavasta Solar in the summer of 2022, it’s incredible to be working with Trina Solar to bring the project to life. We are dedicated to a cleaner, brighter future for all in a way that also directly benefits the communities where our projects are based, so we look forward to completing the project and seeing the difference it makes to the area.”
Vanguard 1P single-row trackers to be installed
Gonzalo de la Viña, President EMEA at Trina Solar, added: “Our involvement in the Karavasta Solar project is another significant milestone for Trina Solar in expanding our footprint in the fast-growing Balkan region. We are thrilled that Voltalia have chosen our modules for the Karavasta Solar site. I have no doubt that together we will make an extraordinary impact on the local community and beyond as we continue our efforts to drive the energy transition forward.
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“Not only is this the largest project in the region, but it comes off the back of another major project in Albania, which was our first project to implement our Vanguard 1P single-row tracker. Our leading presence in the region highlights our commitment to delivering innovative solar solutions in Eastern Europe“, de la Viña said. (hcn)
