The Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, Enea Karakaçi, signed an agreement on Thursday with the Austrian company "Verbund" to build the Spille wind farm.

Karakaçi stated that the agreement "marks an important step for the development of the energy sector in Albania - a concrete step toward harnessing one of the country's most significant natural assets: wind energy."

"The signing of the agreement for the construction of the Spille wind farm represents more than just the launch of a new investment. It marks the beginning of a new phase in diversifying energy sources, strengthening energy security, and expanding our production capacity from renewable sources," said Karakaçi.

Minister Karakaçi emphasized that, for the first time, Albania is moving from mere wind energy potential to the actual realization of a wind farm to be built within its territory.

He expressed satisfaction with the collaboration with "Verbund," one of Austria’s leading energy companies and a key partner in clean energy generation.

The Spille wind farm will be the first wind farm project in Albania. According to Karakaçi, the Albanian government has paid special attention to the development of wind and solar energy as sources that complement the country's hydropower potential.

“Our objective is not merely to produce more energy, but to have a system that better integrates various sources, harnesses natural potential, and ensures a more secure supply for households, businesses, and the Albanian economy. In this context, the wind farm for which we are signing the final agreement today takes on particular significance. With an installed capacity of 72.6 megawatts, this project represents a concrete step toward establishing a wind energy sector in Albania. Located in the Municipality of Rrogozhina, near the Adriatic coast, the wind farm will contribute to expanding production capacity from renewable sources and establishing a foundation for the further development of this technology in our country,” said Karakaçi.

Karakaçi emphasized that construction begins immediately—a highly significant milestone, as the entity involved has not only secured all necessary documentation but has also met every required condition. “The Ministry has also fulfilled all the requirements. Today, the electricity purchase agreement is being signed, and the construction permit has been secured; in other words, it is a ‘ready-to-build’ project, set for immediate construction. Commercial operations are expected to begin in the first quarter of 2028. This is a milestone worth noting, as it demonstrates that policies aimed at developing new energy sources are being translated into concrete projects and investments of significance for the country’s future,” he said.

According to Karakaçi, another important aspect is the approach chosen for the development of this sector.

The Minister of Infrastructure and Energy added that “the ambition is for the Spille park not to remain an isolated project, but rather to serve as a starting point for the further development of this sector.”

Karakaçi noted that “the Rrogozhina municipality will also benefit from the construction of this project, both in terms of access roads and other local advantages.”