Pristina, 14.03.2023 – Minister of Economy, Artane Rizvanolli, together with representatives of the Ministry of Economy, met with the Mayor of Gjakova, Ardian Gjini, and other representatives of the Municipality, the Chief Executive Officer of the Gjakova District Heating, Arben Meka, high-ranking political and technical representatives of the Ministry of Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development, as well as the Chief Executive Officer of the Kosovo Forestry Agency, Bekim Hoxha.

The meeting was held with the aim of coordinating all stakeholders and the District Heating for the installation of the biomass production chain for heating, as planned since the operationalization of the heating plant. During the meeting, all challenges encountered in supplying the heating plant with biomass were discussed, as well as concrete and immediate steps to overcome them. In the coming days, work is expected to begin at the technical level to fulfill these steps with the assistance of central institutions.

So far, the Ministry of Economy has subsidized the Gjakova District Heating with 1.1 million euros, or three times the budgeted amount, for the purchase of biomass during the last two seasons. Therefore, it is expected that the heating plant will become independent and begin the operationalization of the biomass production chain in order to at least partially meet its fuel needs.

Minister Rizvanolli reiterated during the meeting the importance of resolving the production chain issue by next heating season. She also stated that all government institutions and their dependent agencies are ready to assist the District Heating within their competencies.