Next year, Kosovo energy line implementation expected

The interconction energy line was announced and completed, the euroinaugurated and tested in June 2016. It is a 400 kilowattt interconction line between Albania and Kosovo, and has expanded to a total length of 241.1km, of which 151.1km extend to the territory of Albania and 90km to Kosovo territory. The project has cost 75.5m euros. Over 33m euros were financed by Kosovo, while another 42m from Albania.

The Minister of Economic Development in the Government of Kosovo, Valdrin Luka, says the main reason for the failure to reactivate this line has been Serbia, which, according to him, has not implemented the Energy Agreement signed in Brussels in 2013, between representatives of Pristina and Belgrade, with the relief of the European Union.

Out of disrespect for this agreement, Kosovo is estimated to have lost up to 12m euros a year, as according to Minister Luka, the injection of transmission fees that energy passes through Kosovo, is made by the state of Serbia on behalf of Kosovo.

Serbia's system operator (EMS) collects the access of capacities for Kosovo border lines with neighbouring states. This practice, according to authorities in Pristina, will be banned from April 2020.

According to Minister Luka, the reason for this line's non-recognition that three years after the inauguration is that, by functioning, Serbia as energy border manager would benefit financial revenues. And by April 2020, the value of the funds will be invested in COST.

“Intensionisation of Kosovo Intensivement Albania would increase investments of up to 3m euros for the Serbian Transition. It can now be activated with Albania, and not only can it help Kosovo's System, Transition and Electricity Market operator (KOSTT) register an additional 2-3m euros as part of the tariff growth circulation. But what's important is that the best use of energy through the combination that Kosovo has coal and Albania with hydro”, Luka tells Radio Free Europe.

Minister Luka shows in what form energy co-operation between Kosovo and Albania will be with the life of this intervention.

Kosovo has always overproduction over the summer, Albania constantly imports energy during the summer because there is a lack of water and increased tourism. On the other hand, in winter season, it is quite the opposite. Kosovo always imports energy, while Albania always exports”, Luka said.