Construction of Albania’s first floating solar panel park is due to commence imminently.
A project between Statkraft and Ocean Sun, the project will create a floating solar pilot project in the country with an output of 2MWp. With an investment of EUR 2 million, the park will be placed on the Banja reservoir where Statkraft is operating a 72MW hydropower plant.
Head IP Advisor in Statkraft, Tom Kristian Larsen said:
“Now that all regulatory approvals are in place, we have issued a notice to proceed to Ocean Sun for implementing the first phase of the project. We look forward to starting construction by the end of June.”
The first phase will consist of delivering a floating 0.5MWp DC system based on a unique design for floating solar technology. The floating power plant will be completed by Q4 2020. As long as the first phase is completed in line with requirements, Statkraft will then proceed to the second phase. This consists of a further three floating 0.5MWp units that will be completed in 2021. This will bring the total solar capacity for the Banja reservoir to 2MWp.
Should the Albanian project be a success and offer the potential for cost-competitiveness, a wider application of floating solar parks may take place across other Statkraft locations. Statkraft is Europe’s largest generator of renewable energy and produces hydropower, wind power, solar power, and gas-fired power. They operate in over 17 countries.
Partner, Ocean Sun has a portfolio including several patents with the core innovation being a floating solar system where PV modules are mounted on a hydroelastic membrane.
“Ocean Sun is very pleased to start construction for Statkraft. The project represents the first sizable installation in the south of Europe and a milestone in our pursuit of clean and affordable energy from floating solar power globally”, says CEO of Ocean Sun, Børge Bjørneklett.
