US demand that Kosovo get LNG gas, Rizvanolli: Instead of gas pipeline, gasification and import from Vlora terminal

In a video published on Facebook, Rizvanolli said it is incorrect to say that Kosovo institutions refuse liquidated gas from the United States.

According to her, the government has signed a memorandum of co-operation with Albania for the LNG Vlora thermal power plant project, viewing this option as more practical, faster and economically more favourable.

“We can import LNG through Vlora, produce electricity there, and transmit it to Kosovo through the 400kV interconction line, which already exists and does not require additional investment”, she said.

Rizvanolli also dismissed claims that Kosovo has rejected American gas or gas pipeline in 2021, stressing that this is not true and that for the project at that time it will provide detailed clarifications in another address.

She stressed that Kosovo's energy strategy is based on the exploitation of coal reserves, renewable resources, co-generation for central heating and energy efficiency.

Kosovo is lucky to have large coal reserves, which has enabled us not to create gas dependence and keep the lower electricity prices in the region”, the minister said.

Rizvanolli added that LNG is not seen as replacing local energy sources, but only as an additional resource in periods when local production is not enough.

She also stressed that Kosovo remains fully harmonised with the foreign policy of the United States and supports American efforts to reduce Russia's influence in the region through the gas sector.

Kosovo does not import any cubic metres of Russian gas. Thus, efforts to present this debate as a choice between Russia and America are untrue and irrational”, she said.

In the end, the minister said that any long-term gas decision would be made transparently, in consultation with relevant experts and institutions, having the long-term interest of Kosovo citizens priority.

Full response:

First: Kosovo has not selected import from countries in the region before local electricity production, or before American gas, as is being interpreted. On the contrary: We've chosen coal, renewable energy sources like the wind of the sun, cogenerate for central heating, and energy efficiency. This combination is based on local resources and is the freest for our citizens and businesses. And with coal gasification, we'll increase new capacity that is more advanced technology and less pollution.

Second: It is not true that the Government of Kosovo is “against” the gas liquidated by the US (LNG), reportedly. We have signed a Memorandum of Co-operation with the Republic of Albania since 2022 with the aim of co-operating in the Vlora thermal power plant with LNG. We have considered this to be better, more practical, faster, and economically more favorable solutions. Energy co-operation with the Republic of Albania is very natural; and instead of building gas pipelines and gas support infrastructure that takes time and has financial costs, we can import LNG through Vlora, produce electricity there and transmit it through the 400kV interconction line that we have available today, and it does not require an additional cent of investment.

Also, it is not true that Kosovo has “refused American gas” or the “American pipeline” in 2021, as the habit has been made to say. But for the 2021 draft, we'll talk separately, in more detail another day.

Third: Price management is a key consideration in our energy policy.

Kosovo is fortunate to have coal reserves, which has enabled us not to create gas dependence, but also to keep the lowest prices in the region despite global crises in recent years. Today, households in Albania pay 31% more expensive than we do; those in northern Macedonia 30% more expensive; and in Serbia 25% more expensive. We aim for Kosovo to continue to have the lowest electricity price. That's why we also view LNG as not our resource replacement, but only an additional resource for times where local resources are not enough. From our analysis, it turns out that the quickest, useful and economically favourable way for the potential ING in our energy mix is through TC in Vlora.

Fourth: Despite these discussions, there is no dilemma that Kosovo and its government have been and remain co-ordinated with US foreign policy in a consistent and principled manner. Kosovo certainly appreciates and supports the US effort to eliminate the impact Russia has on the region through gas supply.

States such as Serbia, Northern Macedonia or Bosnia and Herzegovina, which have gas infrastructure and dependence on Russian gas, must certainly choose between Russia and America. But, in the case of Kosovo, using gas themes to set off labels like <x0-American” or to put forth the question “with Russia or with America” is not only fake but also completely irrational because Kosovo doesn't import any Russian gas. Kosovo has never chosen Russia in either energy or in any other field.

Fifth: Discussions of long-term decisions like this one involving imports of gas for the following decades, while we have no infrastructure and experience, and the energy sector in Europe is changing and modernising day-to-day, are far beyond daily policy. These discussions should at least be opened in the euphoria of the election campaign. As always, we will also address this issue with the seriousness and responsibility of the highest, along with experts from all relevant institutions and taking into account all considerations, economic and political. Eventually, decisions will be transparent and in line with the long-term interest of citizens of the Republic of Kosovo.