Prishtina, 06.02. 2012 – Minister of Economic Development, Besim Beqaj, highly appreciated the dedication of the staff of Kosovo Energy Corporation’s (KEK’s) staff, who are doing their best to ensure the country’ stable electricity supply in the harsh conditions caused by cold weather, and called on citizens to save energy.

In the visit to the open cast mines and TPPs Kosova A and Kosova B, Minister Beqaj was accompanied by his associates and KEK management and said that the Corporation is functioning in grave conditions and that the staff engagement is clearly notable.

“I visited the open cast mine too, and I can say that it’s a great challenge to maintain coal supply and the functioning of all energy generation blocs in these weather conditions. I would like to thank KEK employees for showing a great dedication and providing us with a relatively good electricity supply these days,” said Beqaj.

The MED head thanked all devoted employees for finding the motivation to ensure the corporation’s proper operations in such severe weather conditions, while appealing for rational use of energy throughout Kosovo, in both rural and urban areas.

“I want to reconfirm a Government decision taken today to provide unrestricted electricity supply for temporary settlements, such as the Kuwait neighborhood and such, with the Government bearing all their debts to KEK” he said, adding that the Government is committed to provide maximum care for all citizens of the Republic of Kosovo, by providing them with sustainable energy supply, thus reducing the possibilities of health endangerment from the lack of energy or heating.

In relation to the possibility to revitalize Unit A2 of TPP Kosova A, Beqaj said that the country faces a situation in which it needs to utilize all its energy resources, while adhering to principles of environmental protection. On the other hand, he negated all possibilities for staff reduction which were recently launched in public.

On the other hand, KEK Managing Director, Arben Gjukaj,  informed how the Corporation is working in emergent conditions since Thursday and how working conditions for its employees are rather difficult. However, maximum effort is made to keep two units of Kosova A and two units of Kosova B running, in order to produce some 800 Megawatt/hour.

Generation is stable since Saturday morning. Categories A and B are facing no load shedding, Category C faces restrictions during daytime peak demand, while for the other periods it has no supply interruptions. This is the best possible supply that can be provided in such circumstances. We are doing everything we can to provide sufficient energy to our citizens,” said Gjukaj.

He said that KEK is supported by all governmental institutions, while our staff in the mine and TPP Kosova A is also fighting forces of nature and doing their best to provide unrestricted energy supply.