Albania’s First Utility-Scale PV Plant Commences Operation Using Sineng Inverters

2024-02-19

Fier, Albania, January 18, 2024 - The 140MW Karavasta solar plant, located in the Fier region of southern Albania, has been successfully connected to the grid, delivering electricity to the transmission system. To date, this project is the largest photovoltaic project in Albania and the Western Balkans.

Awarded to Voltalia through a competitive tender process initiated by the Albanian government, the Karavasta solar farm comprises 240,000 bifacial panels and 18 units of Sineng’s EP-6250-HC-UD/30 MV turnkey stations. Sineng’s products, equipped with IP65 and C5 anti-corrosion protection rating, have proved their adaptability in the current wet winter. 

Each inverter undergoes rigorous testing before leaving the factory, including low voltage ride through (LVRT), high voltage ride through (HVRT), and weak power grid conditions, thus ensuring their exceptional reliability and safety. Moreover, with the maximum efficiency of up to 99%, a DC/AC ratio of up to 1.8, and the ability to accommodate larger block sizes, these inverters maximize yields while significantly reducing Balance of System (BOS) costs.

According to the long-term sales contracts, half of the generated electricity will be sold to Albanian public energy operator OSHEE and the rest will be supplied to private entities. Spanning 200 hectares, the power station is projected to yield 265 GWh annually and effectively offset over 29,165 tonnes of CO2 per year, perfectly aligning with Albania’s ambitious goal of achieving 54.4% renewable energy in the final gross energy consumption by 2030.

In a country where the majority of domestic electricity generation relies on hydropower and is susceptible to the challenges posed by frequent droughts, the project marks a strategic move to enhance energy resilience. Jianfei Li, Vice President of Sineng, stated, “We are glad to be part of this project, facilitating Albania's transition towards a more diversified energy mix. Beyond mitigating climate change impacts, the endeavor creates employment opportunities, fosters social development, and contributes to ecological sustainability within the local community." 

About Sineng 

Sineng Electric is a global leading supplier of a comprehensive product portfolio including PV inverters and energy storage systems for utility-scale, commercial, and residential applications. By establishing four R&D centers and leveraging top-notch resources, Sineng's unwavering commitment to technological innovation has enabled more people to access cost-effective, reliable, and sustainable energy. Since the inauguration of three global manufacturing facilities, the annual production capacity has reached 40GW. Known for the engineering excellence, rigorous testing standards, and consistent quality, Sineng is a market leader in the industry, ranking Top 8 in the global PV inverter market share and being recognized as BloombergNEF tier 1 PV inverter maker.