Albania’s renewable energy sector is entering a new stage of development with the construction of Fortis Energy’s Ersekë Solar Power Plant in the Kolonjë region. The project combines 75 MW DC of solar capacity with a 25 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) and is expected to generate approximately 135 GWh of electricity annually. While the scale of the project is significant, its greater importance lies in the decision to integrate energy storage from the very beginning, reflecting a more advanced approach to renewable energy deployment.
For decades, Albania’s electricity system has relied heavily on hydropower, providing a relatively low-carbon energy mix but also exposing the country to substantial risks during periods of low rainfall. Hydrological variability has repeatedly forced Albania to increase electricity imports, often at elevated market prices. By combining solar generation with battery storage, projects such as Ersekë can help diversify the country’s energy portfolio and reduce dependence on costly imports during periods of supply stress.
The project highlights how solar and storage can work together to address structural weaknesses in the Albanian power market. Solar generation can reduce daytime electricity imports, while battery storage allows part of that energy to be shifted to periods of higher demand or greater market value. Although a 25 MWh battery is relatively modest compared to the needs of the national grid, it represents an important step toward establishing a model for future hybrid renewable projects across the country.
Ersekë also underscores the growing presence of Turkish renewable energy investors in the Western Balkans. Fortis Energy is expanding into a market where renewable investment opportunities are increasing, domestic financing remains limited, and dependence on hydropower continues to create supply risks. Albania offers strong solar resources, a reform agenda increasingly aligned with European energy objectives, and the potential to benefit from regional electricity market integration. These factors make the country an attractive destination for developers prepared to invest in an evolving market environment.
For policymakers, the next phase of development will depend on creating an effective regulatory framework for energy storage. Hybrid renewable projects require clear rules governing battery operation, grid access, balancing responsibilities, and revenue mechanisms. Without these foundations, storage assets may struggle to deliver their full commercial value. With them, Albania can attract additional investment, improve project bankability, and strengthen the resilience of its power system.
The Ersekë project should therefore be viewed as more than a single renewable energy investment. It serves as a signal of the direction Albania’s energy transition is taking. The country’s long-term energy security will depend not only on expanding renewable generation but also on integrating storage technologies, improving grid infrastructure, and strengthening regional electricity trading links. By moving early with a solar-plus-storage model, Fortis Energy is helping demonstrate how Albania can reduce its reliance on hydrological conditions while building a more diversified and resilient electricity system.
