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Prishtinë, May 15, 2006 – Kosovo’s Ministry of Energy and Mining (MEM) voiced optimistic on Thursday that by the end of this year they will select the energetic private investor, whereas they also made it known that by 2020, Kosovo will generate 2800 MW/h.
MEM officials made these comments on Thursday in a public debate in Prishtina, whereas they also called on the customers to pay the electricity bills. Minister of Energy and Mining, Ethem Çeku stated at this occasion that the construction of the new power plant, Kosovo C, would begin in 2008.
“By the end of the year we plan to select the private investor for the energy sector,” said Çeku. “The construction of the new power plant will be divided into two phases: in the first phase (2008-2012), a unit of 1,000 MWh will be constructed, while in the second one (2012-2020) a unit of 800-1,100 MWh.”
According to Çeku, this € 2 billion-project will result in increased budgetary revenues, better living standards and 1,300 new jobs. “It is estimated that the project will provide a € 600,000 turnover rate, while the Kosovo Budget will benefit from € 150 million per year,” said Çeku.
Çeku also said that this is the biggest project in south-eastern Europe, which would turn Kosovo into an energy exporter.
UNMIK Pillar IV Chief, Joachim Ruecker, said that cash collection is the most important element that would help improve the energy situation in Kosovo. “This would enable KEK to finance many necessary investments,” said Ruecker, adding that the opening of a new mine in Sibovc is one of the challenges KEK will face in the near future. “We all agree that the energy sector is crucial for the economic development,” said Ruecker.
Pranvera Dobruna-Kryeziu, KEK Deputy Managing Director, said that Kosovo needs more electrical energy than it is producing as the energy consumption is increasing every day. She called on all customers to pay their bills, since this is a very important thing to attract foreign investors in the energy sector. In an interview with RTK, Minister Çeku said that almost the whole legal package that has to do with the establishment of a basis for involving the private sector in the area of energy and all necessary studies have been finished.
Kanthan Shankar, World Bank Director in Kosovo said that one of the proposed thermal plants has potentials in two main aspects. The first is a long-term sustainable source of income for development programs and civil services, while the other is an opportunity for stimulating trade with South Eastern Europe.
ECIKS