The thermal power plant options “New Kosovo”

Construction of the “New Kosovo plant, based on energy profit from coal, has not rarely been rejected by several non-governmental organisations. Meanwhile, following the preliminary results of the 6 October parliamentary elections, which declared Vetevendosje Movement the winner of the election, the idea of not continuing at all with the project was strained.

The Vetevendosje movement, which during the last term was in opposition, has declared it opposed to this project, while the Democratic League of Kosovo, which is in negotiations with Vetevendosje for the ruling coalition, has indicated it will build new energy capacities, which would not affect the increase in energy prices.

Construction of the “New Kosovo thermal power plant” was one of the priorities of the outgoing Government of Kosovo, led by Ramush Haradinaj.

Starting with options for and against the thermocentral plant “New Kosovo”, the dilemma was in line as to whether Kosovo has other options for adequate electricity supply, if it refuses a new thermal power plant.

Civil society representatives consider that Kosovo has enough resources to provide alternative energy. Also, according to civil society, New Kosovo's <x0).

While outgoing government officials have told Radio Free Europe, Kosovo cannot depend on renewable resources for energy production, such as wind, sunlight and water. For this reason, the outgoing government had supported the realisation of the plan for the construction of the <x0-> New Kosovo plant.

Representatives of the Institute for Development Policy, The INDP, has called for the new government, which will be formed after the confirmation of the election outcome, to make the decision and terminate the contract for the construction of the <x0-> New Kosovo and at the same time take measures, as it was said, to provide renewable energy resources.

Dardan Abazi, senior researcher in this Institute, in a proposal for Radio Free Europe, said that the contract for construction of the thermal power plant “New Kosovo” should be terminated and then discussed the alternative, potential potential potential these, which, according to him, even exist.

“We don't need a thermal power plant that increases the price of energy for triple, where we can buy that energy at a much cheaper price, but we can also produce from renewable energy capacities”, says Abazi.

According to him, the atmospheric conditions in Kosovo and the sunny time that reign during the seasons of the year promise to provide solar energy sources.

We, as civil society organisations, insist on projects that, based on solar energy and wind energy. Then, in an integrated market, we will have access to the production of the entire region and not be dependent on the harmful coal burning which made Kosovo A '%s' and Kosovo B”, Abazi says.

The authority responsible for producing electricity in Kosovo is the Kosovo Energy Corporation. The director of this corporation, Nojazi Thaci, told Radio Free Europe, that KEK's production capacities are 800 megawatts of electricity hours. According to him, building new energy capacities is needed to provide enough energy for consumers.

Refusing to deny the importance of alternative energy, Thaci said energy production capacities from coal should be provided in the first place, then looked at opportunities for alternative energy.

“KEK has a production capacity for only 800 megawatt hours of electricity, there are no other options. Therefore, it is very necessary to start new generation units, such as building the New Kosovo thermal power plant, so that the lack of KEK production or security of up to 400 additional megawatts, Thaci said.

Thaci considers that consumer needs during the winter season for electricity reach up to 1,200 megawatt hours of energy.

But responsible for electricity supply is the Electricity Supply Distribution (KEDS), which despite the insistence of Radio Free Europe, by this institution have provided no answer to what form it will provide electricity, in case of the failure to build New Kosovo “thermal power plant.

The Kosovo government has signed the commercial agreement with the American company “Contour Global” at the end of 2017 for the construction of this 500 megawatt capacity, which will cost 1.3 billion euros.

New Kosovo thermal power plant “” was meant to start building in this year, while operating in 1923. His life span is estimated to be 40 years.

Kosovo, estimated to have more than 10 billion tonnes of lignite and as such, is the fifth country in the world for the amount of this resources, but despite the wealth of lignite, Kosovo continues to face a lack of electricity.

On the other hand, in the Energy Strategy that the Republic of Kosovo for 2017-2026 says renewable energy sources present an important source of energy that Kosovo is with, with still untapped potential.

As a member of the Energy Community, Kosovo is obliged to reach the limits, which by 2020 can meet up to 25 per cent of final energy consumption targets from renewable sources. / REL