Former Energy Minister: We're all to blame for being in the dark, here's the alternative to getting out of the crisis.

For the energy crisis Kosovo is facing, former Energy Minister Ethem Ceku is blaming politics, saying the energy sector requires a political consensus.

Kosovo, according to him, would not have developed this energy crisis if it developed the <x0-> New Kosovo” project.

University professor Ceku in the Kosovo Press interview, says the only solutions to the energy crisis in the country are the construction of small blocks up to 200 megawatts in co-operation with the World Bank and Brussels, as well as development of the renewable energy sector.

“It is a big problem, the issue of electricity and electricity supply, the Kosova Cova e Re project was derailed, those projects were not developed and why. And now we have to think seriously, but that needs a common consensus between position and opposition for a developmental energy plan... Is this government to blame for the current crisis? Yeah, normal. We are all at fault, all governments bear responsibility when the Kosovo “project C” was set aside for the production of 1,000 megawatt hours of electricity, and would solve Kosovo's energy problem. And that project was interrupted, and all investments have become temporary”, Ceku says.

Ceku, who served as minister in 2002-2004, says the only solution to the problem in Kosovo's energy field, besides alternative energy, is opening up access to small blocks up to 200 megawatts, in co-ordination with the World Bank and Brussels.

The next year the crisis will certainly deepen, because the blocks will fall again. A5 block and other blocks of Kosova A's, they're almost dead, we've used them out of normal... The only solution to the problem in Kosovo's energy field, besides alternative energy, is to open up the possibilities for building small blocks of 200 megawatts in co-ordination with the World Bank and Brussels for allowing construction. Germany has restored the thermal power plants with the lynx, as well as Poland, and Europe is restoring the power plants with the line. And our country with 11 billion tons of linen that we don't know what to do with this, we can't build a 300-megawatt thermal power plant. It is absurd not to be allowed to build any block with such capacities, or to enter with deep rehabilitation as the countries of the region”, he points out.

University professor Ceku also says investment opportunities should be opened in the renewable energy sector.

The energy blocks of New Kosovo were not built, but it was necessary to develop the alternative sector as if it had a preservation, hydro-powered, there are no conditions to develop in Kosovo, but solar and wind can be done, so investments should be liberalised, open the doors to the private sector for stronger investments and develop”, he says.

Professor Ceku expects the energy crisis to deepen in the coming winter and next year.

KEDS-KESCO are applying electricity reductions in the country now a week, from Monday day, 6 hours powered and 2 without it.

COMM STT has announced that instructions for supply restrictions remain in force until the stabilisation of the situation, which means providing needed electricity for covering consumption by responsible operators at the market: Public provider (KESCO) and Distribute System Operator (KEDS).