Pristina, 25.05.2023 – At the Pre-Bid Conference for the 100 MW Solar Auction, which was held today, the Ministry of Economy, supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), brought together experts and relevant sector stakeholders in three discussion panels wherein the role and importance of the first Kosovo solar auction were elaborated.

The Minister of Economy, Artane Rizvanolli, the Minister of Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure, Liburn Aliu, the Chairman of the Energy Regulatory Board, Ymer Fejzullahu, the Chief Executive Officer of the Kosovo System, Transmission and Market Operator, Evetar Zeqiri, as well as the Vice Mayor of the Municipality of Rahovec, Fatmir Iska discussed in the first conference panel on the “Implementation of the First Solar Auction in Kosovo”.

The first solar auction as well as legislation, strategies and new projects in the area of renewable resources were presented during the this panel, which are expected to play a key role in increasing the security of supply, affordability of prices, and promotion of competition. The panelists expressed, inter alia, the commitment of the institutions they represent and lead to support the successful progress of the first competitive scheme of the Republic of Kosovo, which will serve as an example for the following schemes.

Alessandro Bianciardi, Deputy Head of the Cooperation Sector at the European Union Office in Kosovo, Sergiy Malichenko, Head of EBRD and Visar Perani, Local Officer at IFC discussed in the second panel on “Financing of the Energy Transition of Kosovo”. The panelists presented information on the investment and financing mechanisms offered by the international financial institutions they represent, regarding the development of renewable energy projects.

Whereas the last panel composed of Arijeta Pajaziti from the Association of Women in the Energy Sector of Kosovo (AWESK), Visar Bejta, a former intern of the USAID/ESA “New Energy” internship program, Antoneta Azemi, Advisor to the Minister of Finance, Labour and Transfers, and Majlinda Daci Ajvazi, Director of the Center for Energy and Sustainability and Member of Women in Energy and Mining (WEM) discussed on the topic “Gender and youth inclusive workforce development”.

The work and initiatives that are being taken by the aforementioned institutions to increase equality in representation in the energy sector were shared during the penal discussions, in order to increase the sector’s dynamics and productivity.

You can follow the full event on the link: https://fb.watch/kLkdKXHZPt/