Masdar and KESH Sign Agreement to Explore Renewable Energy Joint Venture in Albania

• Agreement witnessed by the Prime Minister of Albania, HE Edi Rama
• Joint venture term sheet to explore the deployment of GW-scale renewable energy projects in Albania for the supply of power to Albania and neighboring countries via cross-border interconnections
• Agreement will focus on solar, wind, and hybrid renewable projects with potential battery storage

BAKU, Azerbaijan, Nov. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC (Masdar) and Korporata Elektroenergjitike Shqiptare (KESH) – Albania Power Corporation - have signed a joint venture term sheet agreement to explore the development of gigawatt-scale renewable projects in Albania.

Albania Signing

The signing ceremony took place in Baku, Azerbaijan on the sidelines of COP29, witnessed by the Prime Minister of Albania, HE Edi Rama, His Excellency Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, COP28 President and Chairman of Masdar, and Her Excellency Belinda Balluku, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy for Albania. The agreement was signed by Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, and Erald Elezi, Chief Executive Officer of KESH.

The joint venture term sheet agreement aims to develop, construct, and operate renewable energy projects utilizing a range of renewable technologies, including solar PV, wind, and hybrid solutions, with potential integration of battery storage. The energy produced is expected to be supplied to the Albanian market and exported to neighboring countries.

Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, COP28 President and Chairman of Masdar, said: "This agreement is a testament to the UAE's unwavering commitment to pioneering clean energy solutions on a global scale. By leveraging the UAE's world-class expertise in renewable energy and Albania's abundant natural resources, our purpose-built, future-ready infrastructure will deliver more energy with fewer emissions to more people than ever before. Agreements like these will help realize the ambitious goals of the historic UAE Consensus, aimed at tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030, and driving low-carbon socio economic progress."

Her Excellency Belinda Balluku, Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of infrastructure and Energy, commented: "The partnership between KESH and Masdar is a significant moment not only for Albania's journey towards a sustainable and secure energy sector, but also embodies the spirit of the strategic partnership between Albania and the United Arab Emirates and underscores the importance of international cooperation in achieving a green, sustainable future. By combining Albania's rich renewable energy potential with Masdar's global expertise, we are not only advancing our domestic energy goals but also positioning Albania as a key player in the European energy market, while enhancing our energy security, creating new economic opportunities, and contributing to our efforts to meet global climate goals."

The partnership aims to leverage KESH's position as Albania's leading energy producer and Masdar's global expertise in renewable energy development to accelerate Albania's clean energy transition. A landmark in the development of renewable energy capacity in Albania, the potential joint venture will benefit from Masdar's relationships with technology providers and financial institutions, as well as its operational expertise, while capitalizing on KESH's local market knowledge and existing infrastructure. Through this collaboration, Masdar and KESH are advancing Albania's decarbonization initiatives and contributing to the broader European energy market.

Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, added: "The joint venture term sheet with KESH will mark a significant milestone in Masdar's expansion into the Balkans and Southeast Europe. By combining our expertise in large-scale renewable projects with KESH's deep understanding of the Albanian energy market, we are poised to make a substantial contribution to Albania's clean energy transition. As Masdar targets 100GW by 2030, this joint venture with our partner KESH exemplifies the scale and ambition needed to advance the global energy transition and we look forward to further collaborations in Albania and the Eastern Balkans"

Erald Elezi, Chief Executive Officer of KESH, said: "This joint venture with Masdar is a pivotal advancement in Albania's renewable energy journey, underscoring KESH's commitment to sustainable development and energy diversification. Although Albania already benefits from a predominantly green energy mix, this partnership will enhance our energy resilience, improve stability, and open avenues for clean energy exports to the region. By working with a global leader like Masdar, we are poised to bring innovative renewable technologies to Albania, supporting our role as a clean energy leader in the Balkans and strengthening the country's position within the broader European energy landscape."

The joint venture term sheet between Masdar and KESH is a crucial component of the broader strategic partnership between the UAE and Albania. It will play a vital role in increasing Albania's renewable energy capacity, meeting local demand while supporting its energy export capabilities to neighboring countries, and contributing to the region's energy security and sustainability goals.

Masdar has significantly strengthened its presence in Southeast Europe with its proposed acquisition of TERNA ENERGY, the largest developer and investor in renewable energy projects in Greece with a target capacity of 6GW by 2029. In addition, Masdar increased its investment in the Balkans with the recently announced financial close on the 154MW Čibuk 2 project in Serbia, adding to its existing 158MW Čibuk 1 wind farm and bringing its total capacity in the country to over 300MW.

About Masdar

Masdar (Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company) is one of the world's fastest-growing renewable energy companies. As a global clean energy pioneer, Masdar is advancing the development and deployment of solar, wind, geothermal, battery storage and green hydrogen technologies to accelerate the energy transition and help the world meet its net-zero ambitions. Established in 2006, Masdar has developed and invested in projects in over 40 countries with a combined capacity of over 31.5 gigawatts (GW), providing affordable clean energy access to those who need it most and helping to power a more sustainable future.

Masdar is jointly owned by TAQA, ADNOC, and Mubadala, and is targeting a renewable energy portfolio capacity of 100GW by 2030 while aiming to be a leading producer of green hydrogen by the same year.

For more information, please visit: https://www.masdar.ae and connect: facebook.com/Masdar.ae and twitter.com/Masdar

About KESH

Korporata Elektroenergjitike Shqiptare (KESH) is Albania's leading energy producer and a cornerstone of the country's power sector. KESH plays a critical role in Albania's energy landscape, primarily through its extensive hydropower assets, which provide the majority of Albania's electricity from renewable sources. Operating some of the largest hydropower plants in the Balkans, KESH is a key contributor to Albania's green energy profile and energy security. KESH is committed to enhancing Albania's renewable energy capacity and ensuring energy resilience for future generations. By exploring new opportunities in solar, wind, and energy storage, KESH aims to diversify its energy portfolio and establish Albania as a regional leader in sustainable energy solutions. Through strategic partnerships, KESH continues to support Albania's role in the broader European energy market, driving forward the country's vision for a cleaner and more sustainable future.