Gasing coal or American LNG: What is better for Kosovo?

Kosovo appears to be ahead of two solutions to ensure long-term stability in the energy sector -- start gasification of coal, or engage in regional liquefied natural gas initiatives (LNG).

Despite the Kosovo government's appeal to support from the United States for gasification option, Washington clearly wants Pristina to become part of LNG initiatives.

“The US is ready to work with the American Energy Industry and the Government of Kosovo to secure energy prospects for Kosovo through diversification of the power supply, including US LNG”, Free Europe from the American Embassy in Pristina told Radio, stressing that American energy exports are the pillar of economic co-operation with European partners.

Kosovo President Albulen Haxhiu's duty, meanwhile, told reporters in Pristina that in terms of American gas, there should be serious discussions with institutions and experts on benefits and costs from this project.

LNG priority

For energy expert Laura Kryeziu, involvement in the LNG regional network “is the most realistic and accessible option for the next decade”, either technical, financial, environmental and strategic.

LNG is natural gas, mainly methane, extracted from gas fields, cools at temperatures of about -162 degrees Celsius, and is transported to liquid - shaped tankers. When it reaches the terminals, it turns into gas and goes online.

Kryeziu says that concrete opportunities for Kosovo is inter-interaction with northern Macedonia, which would link the country to an LNG terminal in Greece, whose work started two years ago.

“Speaking for about 86 km of gas pipeline, at an estimated cost of around 100m euros”, explains for Radio Free Europe former co-ordinator in the Millennium Challenge Corporation project (MCC) for gasification and energy diversification in Kosovo.

Kryeziu says that Kosovo has spent about 1 billion euros on energy imports in the past five years, while during the first two months of 2026 around 60m euros, “almost costing itself the intervention with Northern Macedonia”.

According to her, the North Macedonia gas project has had international support, and the MCC has made a feasibility study for it, while for the gasification of lignite, detailed research and no clear funding model.

“Such projects require investments that can reach hundreds of millions or billions of euros, very advanced technology and a high level of financial risk”, Kryeziu says.

Minusions of Two Options

But, Southeast Europe energy adviser to the Bankwatch network, Pippa Gallop, estimates that the two options are too much <x0-secondial” for Kosovo in short term, as well as expensive and harmful in climate terms.

More unfavourable, she sees the gasification of coal, which is done using high - heat reactor, with great pressure and limited oxygen in order to produce synthetic gas.

“Use large amounts of water Kosovo does not have, and can pollute underground waters. It also results in major greenhouse gas emissions, which conflict with Kosovo's pledges in terms of climate”, Gallop says of Radio Free Europe.

Meanwhile, it stresses that involvement in the LNG regional networks “could take decades, at a time when Kosovo should give up all fossils, including natural gas”.

I don't see any real benefits compared to renewable energy, as it would increase the state's dependence on costly gas that would be imported”, Gallop says.

Citing the European Union's defuelisation objectives where Kosovo aims to join both Gallop and Kryeziu, they say pollution from gasification and ING does not coincide with the bloc's intentions of climate neutrality by 2050.

What should be Kosovo's priority?

According to Kryeziu, Kosovo needs to build a modern and diverse energy system, meaning investments in renewable energy, energy storage capacity, network modernisation, and connection with regional gas network as transit solutions.

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Gallop considers that “Kosovo should not be distracted by gas”.

“should focus on batteries and renewable energy, as well as on upgrading homes for energy efficiency and supporting heat pumps, which could reduce the use of electricity from households for heating”, she points out.

Strategic Aspect

However, Gallop and Kryeziu see a strategic aspect of Kosovo's eventual involvement in LNG initiatives, which are supported by the US.

Gallop says it is understandable that Kosovo aims to keep good reports with the US, but it says one must find a way for this to be achieved without a “high price”.

For Kryeziu, American gas is an investment in the country's security and long-term location.

That Kosova sлe has the luxury of marking “autogo” on the plains of economy, security and strategy, Adrian Steun, an expert on foreign policy and security operating in Washington, warned last week. /Periscope