Sculp: Gas brings Kosovo today's, electricity, thermal energy

To better understand from the professional perspective, of the importance of life-making this project for Kosovo, Kosova Prees spoke with renowned field energy expert Luan Sllaku and at first asked him?

Mr. Shllaku is reportedly saying that Kosovo told the project on natural gas, or as it is now known with the American gas emir project. You through a post in social media from the energy expert's perspective have listed some priorities Kosovo has had to be part of this project. From the perspective of an expert, please tell us why this project was important let's say on the energy level?

Sculp: What I wrote had a purpose: to assess the idea of introducing natural gas in Kosovo. But this issue, like many others, unfortunately cannot remain unpolitical. What I would like to say is how I value the idea of introducing gas in Kosovo, regardless of where it comes from, and whose gas it is. These days we were introduced to the possibility of introducing American gas coming to a Greek port and then heading towards Macedonia, Kosovo and beyond, I believe, but no further told, there was very little transparency in this direction. On the other hand, there has long been the possibility that one day, in Kosovo, gas will be conveyed, which will come from Albania. Whatever the option, we need to see what natural gas can bring. We are among the rare countries that do not have gas infrastructure, remove gasoline that we have from the 1970s, which extend to Skopje and to Mitrovica on the other side, because this once line of gas had supplied with thermal gas “made in Kosovo”, Kosovo metallurgy and some major industrial objects. Gazi, Kosovo, brings the energy lacking today, not only the electric one but also the thermal one, which means it can be used in addition to the production of electricity, as fuel for heating up much of Kosovo's settlements. It can also replace the energy costs the industry has made using electricity, which is the most expensive form of its use, thermal energy, we first turn it into electric, and then we turn that energy back into thermal energy! So we lose a lot of energy.

 

It's been years of talking about this project, especially field connoisseurs like yours, citizens don't know much, not to say anything about what the project is about. Please if you can give us some details about this project?

Sculp: Unfortunately, I don't even know this project enough. I only know what we've been told and what's written about it. What we're told by the Government is that they too need to study it more, that they don't have all the answers right now. I don't like the fact that the government has taken a position to first say no of the opportunity offered by the project MCC, and then I'll do the more detailed studies for him! Usually the opposite is: First analyzed, yes or no! But let's hope that the MCC will have the right flexibility to wait for our side to study a little bit more and then decide.

   What have been the benefits that Kosovo could enjoy at the energy level if it was part of the project?

Sculp: The benefits, if gas (from wherever it comes), can be many: First, it dissects energy resources, even though not with the cleanest fuel possible, but we know we're not going to be able to go completely into renewable sources, because we have little potential for such a replacement. But we must do our best, and immediately to generate the maximum possible by the sun, the wind, the wind, the breath, etc.; Second, I will have it available, an additional source of energy, the gas, which we then use as necessary. Gas only allows for easy use when it is convenient; Third, until we make the necessary investments in alternative energy, for what it takes decades from now, we will be able to build a transition with a small gas tC that pollutes by half less than TC with linen, and the fourth significantly reduces electricity consumption, which in a large part comes from warming during winter. If we build 5-6 regional gas heater, we will significantly reduce electricity consumption, which is like building a new TC: if we save 300 MORE energy during winter is the same as building a 300-more TC that would greatly jeopardise the quality of the environment and the health of citizens.

What could be the damage to the energy level that Kosovo could have?

Sculp: Both fossil fuels and gas are polluting, although half less than lignite. We also have to buy it out of the country. But it could cost more if we don't have a clear alternative to the energy the country needs in the coming decades, when the lignite can't be used, because of the resources imposed on the EU, and we, I'm convinced, will not compromise the chance we have to become part of it.

  After reports that Kosovo has said no to this project, many critical voices to this decision have warned the future of Kosovo's energy dependence on neighbouring countries, specifically on Serbia? How do you view these warnings?

Sculp: To be honest, these reactions I don't see at all serious.

/Luan Shllaku is the best - known environmental and energy field expert. For years, it continues to be a vocal option for development of alternative energy in Kosovo. He is executive director of the Kosovar Foundation for Open Society/ KFOS, the largest organisation in Kosovo to promote the values of democracy./KP