American Oda criticises the government on duty: Energy policies do not address security, dependence on imports

According to the American Oda, the priorities presented do not reduce dependence on imports and therefore do not strengthen energy supply security in Kosovo.

The key question is not whether Kosovo can import electricity produced in neighbouring countries, but whether to continue dependence on import or invest in new domestic production capacities,” is said to be in Oda's stance.

They stress that developing local capacities should be a national priority, adding that dependence on import exposes Kosovo to price fluctuations and supply risks.

The response also mentions the postwar energy crisis in Europe in Ukraine, arguing that states with internal production have been more protected from market shocks.

The American Oda emphasises that Kosovo's involvement in the US LNG regional infrastructure and development of natural gas capacities would enable faster growth of energy production and security, along with greater integration of renewable resources.

According to them, LNG-based capacities can be realised in terms of two to three years and have more funding opportunities from international institutions, compared to coal-based projects.

In response, it is also said that Kosovo should pursue a double approach: rapid development of LNG capacities for short- and medium-term needs, as well as long-term planning for local energy sources.

The U.S. “Oda considers energy policies should be measured not only at the initial cost, but with security of supply and long-term stability,” says the stance.

In the end, the American Economic Oda in Kosovo stresses that Kosovo should not miss the opportunity to get involved in the US LNG regional infrastructure, which many European countries are seeing as a strategic investment in energy security.

Full communication:

Statement by American Oda concerning the government's orientation for energy policies

Pristina, June 27, 2026 The American Economic Oda in Kosovo has carefully conveyed recent public statements by members of the Government Cabinet in office concerning the orientation of the country's energy policy.

The American Oda believes that the priorities presented do not adequately address Kosovo's need to increase the local power generation capacities, reduce dependence on imports and therefore strengthen supply safety.

The crucial issue is not whether Kosovo can import electricity produced in neighbouring countries. The strategic question is whether Kosovo should continue to rely on the import of electricity as a ready product, or invest in building new domestic production capacities that strengthen energy security, economic competitiveness and its strategic independence.

The American Oda estimates that developing new local capacities should be a national priority.

It has been argued that importing electricity through existing transmission infrastructure is a more viable and less costly solution than building gas infrastructure in Kosovo. However, the assessment of this issue solely on the basis of the initial cost of infrastructure does not reflect the long-term benefits of building new generation capacities within the country.

Every new megawatt produced in Kosovo increases supply security, reduces dependence on regional electricity markets, and creates greater stability for the economy and citizens. Continued support mainly in importing electricity exposes Kosovo to price fluctuations and supply risks, which do not depend on its decision-making. The European energy crisis following Russian aggression in Ukraine clearly testified that states that possessed sufficient local production capacities were much more protected from market shocks.

This is also one of the main reasons many European states have invested and continue to invest in the LNG infrastructure, including the American LNG. Beyond the economic aspect, these decisions are guided by strategic goals for diversification of supply resources, reducing dependence on a limited number of suppliers, and strengthening national security. In the new geopolitical reality, energy is no longer treated only as commercial merchandise, but as key components of security policy and strategic partnerships. Therefore, Kosovo cannot remain out of this transformation.

For this very reason, Oda American strongly believes that increasing local production capacities should remain among Kosovo's main strategic goals.

In this context, Kosovo's inclusion in the US LNG regional infrastructure represents the fastest and economically more favourable route for building new generation capacities. Construction of the gas intervention through northern Macedonia has been identified through studies supported by the United States Army Engineering Corps, within the framework of the Milenium Challenge Corporation (MCC) programme, as the most favourable economic alternative to supplying Kosovo with natural gas.

LNG-based generation capacity is among the commercially ready technologies that can be built within a period of only two to three years. Moreover, such projects have a markedly greater opportunity to be financed by international financial institutions than the construction of new coal-based capacities. Also important is to understand that LNG is not an alternative to renewable energy sources. Rather, it is technology that enables the integration of a much larger amount of energy from the wind and the sun, providing the flexibility needed for the functioning of a modern electromagnetic system.

On the other hand, coal gasification may be considered part of the country's long-term energy security discussions, but it cannot address Kosovo's urgent needs for increased production capacities. Such a project takes an apparent longer time for realisation, while the possibility of securing funding remains uncertain, given international policies for defuelisation.

For this reason, the American Economic Oda in Kosovo considers that Kosovo should pursue a double approach: to develop LNG-based new generation capacities as soon as possible to address the short- and medium-term energy security needs, while in parallel continue to assess long-term options for the use of its local resources.

Energy policies should be measured not only at the initial cost of investment, but with their ability to ensure safe supply, predictable prices and local electricity production. Kosovo's involvement in the US LNG regional infrastructure would enable the country to build new generation capacities in the shortest possible term, significantly boost energy security, strengthen Kosovo's economy competitiveness and further deepen strategic partnership with the United States.

Based on what was said earlier, the American Economic Oda in Kosovo reiterates its position that at a time when more and more European countries are viewing the US ING as a strategic investment in their energy and national security, Kosovo should not miss that opportunity.