Prishtina, 10 Oct 2013 – Provision of electricity supply represents a key and essential factor for the country’s economic development. The market is an instrument founded on liberal undertakings, but also an element that will stimulate appropriate competition between market operators and others, and an instrument of influence in the environment.

The Minister of Economic Development made these comments in the conference on “Energy Market in Southeast Europe – 2013”, organized by Evroenergie. The conference was also attended by the Austrian Ambassador in Kosovo, Johann Brieger, GIZ Coordinator Reinhard Trenkle, the head of grid sales E.ON Mitte AG, Sven Nuhn, and representatives of energy sectors from different countries.

The Head of MED emphasized that the Republic of Kosovo is paying due attention to energy efficiency, and pursuant to an analysis conducted, it was found that Kosovo has sufficient renewable resources and potentials, and can contribute to and benefit from energy efficiency measures through the implementation of electricity projects and other segments, including construction and technology solutions for our homes. One of the main dilemmas faced to this end by our country and the entire world is global warming.

“There are countries like Kosovo that don’t have sufficient renewable energy sources, countries that don’t have vast water resources, but this doesn’t mean that we’re not addressing this matter. We are intensively working to this end, and in the year to come we will reach an adequate level of utilization of renewable sources, including water, wind, etc. said Minister Ismajli.

He also added that Kosovo has now adopted a rather flexible legal and regulatory infrastructure for the introduction of appropriate investments in the segment of electricity generation.

It was also emphasized that the project of compiling feed-in tariffs for other renewable sources has been initiated, and that Kosovo has approved an electricity market design that is compliant with European directives, in harmony with other parties of interest, including the Energy Community in Vienna, Directorate General for Energy in Brussels and other local and international stakeholders.

Among other, Minister Ismajli emphasized that the “finalization of the 400 kV line with Albania would represent good news, as it would serve the project to be drafted with support from USAID-funded experts on the establishment of a common energy market”.

Ministry of Economic Developments finds support from international stakeholders, international financial institutions, EC and different states that support through their specific mechanisms, such as USAID, KfW, etc. crucial for the accomplishment of its objectives. “We are working with a group of experts on the TPP Kosova e Re project, for which we have signals from the market that there are potential investors interested in developing the power plant. Moreover, in the aspect of energy market restructuring, Kosovo is ahead of some other countries of Southeast Europe,” Minister Ismajli emphasized.

The Ministry of Economic Development is also intensively reviewing the Energy Strategy, in order to institutionalize approaches that are adequate for new requirements, respond to the structure of electricity development in Europe and beyond, and provides opportunities for all interested to invest in Kosovo.

Minister Ismajli underlined that MED remains engaged in the implementation of energy efficient projects, including those in renewable hydro, solar and wind-powered electricity generation, which will help in maintaining an adequate level of our electricity bills, meaning that they do not directly affect the increase of electricity tariffs.

“I hope that we will have a proper exchange of experiences and ideas, in order for this event not to remain merely a courtesy meeting, but rather to come with conclusions that lead to further advancement of the sector, which is becoming an issue not only for Kosovo but for the entire world,” Minister Ismajli concluded.