Prishtina, 30.11.2017 – Minister of Economic Development Valdrin Lluka said today that the conclusion of the Kosova e Re Thermal Power Plant project at the lowest possible cost is one his personal priorities, since the current 1 billion price is unaffordable for the country’s budget.

The Head of MED made these comments today in an international conference on sustainable development, which focused on Kosovo’s energy and environmental policies, as well as on the approach to advancing the sustainable development agenda, harmonized with the european integration processes, organized by the Kosovo Civil Society Consortium for Sustainable Development – KOSID.

“As soon as I arrived in MED I requested to review the conditions of the current contract, and the agreement on the basis of which the project for the development of the Kosova e Re Thermal Power Plant will be developed,” he said.

Minister Lluka said that the project is relatively expensive, yet necessary for the nation’s security of energy supply, considering the numerous problems faced by the country’s system and the fact that the current thermal power plants are severe environmental pollutants.

According to him, a thermal power plant like Kosova e Re is necessary, but not at all costs. “We are trying to develop the best thermal power plant at the best price. We will push forward the development of Kosova e Re Thermal Power Plant, but not at a high cost,” said Lluka.

Minister Lluka further said that some details are being worked on, and some contractual arrangements are being negotiated. “We are also discussing on using ‘ultra subcritical’ technologies in this project, as a highly efficient technology, which meets all necessary standards for the development of this 450MW capacity plant,” he added.

The Head of MED underlined that when the decommissioning of TPP Kosova A and complete overhaul of TPP Kosova B are added to said measures, Kosovo is expected to have no problems from its thermal power plants.

Speaking on alternative energy, Minister Lluka said that some 50-70 megawatts of solar energy will be added to the system, since there are sufficient capacities. He emphasized that security of energy security will be of primary significance, along with stable supply and the establishment of a common market with Albania, to ensure energy generation optimization.