Agrivoltaic Plant Launched In Kosovo

• A 150 MW agrivoltaic solar farm has entered construction in Kosovo's Bec village
• Power generated is planned to be either exported or sold locally, according to SEGE's website
• Site will be used for sheep grazing whose milk will produce cheese to be sold to Germany and Austria

A subsidiary of diversified business entity Rockland Group of Lebanon, Solar Energy Group Europe (SEGE) has started construction of a 150 MW DC/136 MW AC agrivoltaic farm in Kosovo's Gjakova city. This was announced by Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti who named Siemens Energy a part of the consortium developing the project.

The land below the solar modules is planned to be used for sheep grazing and milk produced will be used to make cheese by local producers and sold at a discount to Germany and Austria. SEGE calls it the 1^st project within the Balkans that combines modern technology with traditional agriculture.

The project is coming up in the Bec village, expected to generate 243,222 MWh annually on completion. According to SEGE's website, power generated is planned to be sold outside Kosovo via the electricity network of transmission system operator KOSTT. However, the project partners will be open to selling it exclusively within Kosovo.

SEGE secured a transmission connection agreement with KOSTT in 2021 for the project. Back then KOSTT said the project is planned to enter commercial operations in 2022 (see Kosovo To Get 150 MW DC Solar Power Plant).

Kosovo aims to install 1.6 GW renewable energy capacity including 600 MW solar by 2031 as part of its energy strategy which should reduce its reliance on coal and oil that form a major part of its current electricity mix according to the International Energy Agency.

Recently the country's Ministry of Economy invited bids for a solar power plant having up to 105 MW AC capacity in the Rahovec municipality (see Kosovo Launches Solar PV Tender).