New thermal power plant to burn Kosovo's future

The Kosovar consortium of the Sustainable Development Civil Society (KOSID) has rejected the decision to proceed with the construction of the “Kosova e Re” because the same will not only ensure supply independence but will harm the health, environment and European future of the energy sector in Kosovo.

COMM SID through a reaction says that with an nontransparent and secret process, the only one that can be guaranteed is deepening energy poverty, isolation and further degradation of the environment and public health.

“The decision is contrary to the constitutional principles of the democratic state that promote environmental protection (Nani 7 HINA values), with environmental protection principles (Nani 52) ) Life Environment Responsibilities, Law No. 05L-081 for Energy on promoting a free and integrated market in the region and beyond (Nani 6.2). Overcoming these constitutional and legal provisions is unacceptable, and as such this decision must be withdrawn. The Government of the Republic of Kosovo's decision to proceed with the achievement of the agreement with Contour Global is strategically wrong for the energy sector of the Republic of Kosovo. That's because it puts all financial, human and institutional capacities in the service of developing a technology in death like that of burning lignite. Instead of Kosovo institutions working on meeting and expanding the limits for energy efficiency and energy produced by green sources, our government prioritizes billion investments in projects of the past. Integration of markets is the central goal of the Energy Community, which constitutes both EU member states but also the signatory states of the Treaty. [1] Integration and liberalisation of the energy market in Kosovo cannot be done if we enter contractual obligations for return of investments to a private operator. On the other hand, liberalisation of the energy market in general, and electricity in particular is due to the third package of laws in the field of energy approved in 2016. The Transmission System operator, with the consent of Regulatory, takes part in operating one or more integrated systems within one or more regions, which are covered by one or more parts of the Energy Community with the aim of co-ordinating cross-border capacity and co-ordinating of cross-security capabilities and operational security verification, and with the aim of establishing and developing regional electricity markets and liberalisation of”, is said to be in response.

According to KOSID, Kosovo's “New Kosova” project undermines Kosovo's European future, as in the integration process, it conflicts with European policies of debonding, liberalisation and market integration, and with environmental and health standards.

“Set a carbon price will certainly be binding for Kosovo. When we add the additional health and environmental cost of burning lignite, which exceeds 10 cents per kilowattt, it turns out that this decision is even economically unfavourable. Can't talk about a liberal and integrated market if the main component of the market, which is competition, is damaged in order for a private company to realise at any cost. In the integrated energy market, the energy producer must compete equally with other producers, undergo risks that bring free competition and be able to survive. Since the technology of burning lignite is more and more declining every day, Contour Global in a completely nontransparent and unreasonable manner has been guaranteed to return investment at the expense of citizens. KOSID considers that instead of «insisting on investing in line, Kosovo should focus on investments in energy efficiency as an additional source of energy, on promoting energy from renewable sources and on the European integration agenda. Finally, one billion investment in a strategic sector such as energy requires minimally a broad social consultation and national concession, an assessment of impact on the environment and a clear mirror of the consequences”, said in response.

Transparency and the opening of files since the beginning of this process is the constitutional, legal and moral obligation of any democratic government.