Albania allows solar and wind power installations on pastureland

Albania has adopted a new law permitting the construction of solar and wind power plants on pastureland, a move driven by growing demand for renewable energy. 

The law allows photovoltaic (PV) panels to be mounted at least five meters above the ground, enabling simultaneous use of land for grazing livestock.

Around a tenth of Albania’s surface is pastureland, with approximately 340,000 hectares under state ownership. The new regulation aims to unlock this underutilized land for renewable energy development. The law was amended by the Parliament of Albania after numerous requests from developers for opportunities to install photovoltaic and wind systems on pastureland.

Lawmaker Edona Bilali, who introduced the bill, emphasized that this dual-use approach could benefit both agriculture and renewable energy sectors. 

Known as agrivoltaics, this method involves combining solar power generation with agricultural production on the same land, offering advantages such as temperature regulation and protection from weather elements for crops and livestock.

The law also allows for other developments on pastureland, including those for social, healthcare, sport, and tourism purposes, with municipal authorities overseeing the process.