Prishtina, 05.03.2014 – Protecting the environment from the perspective of the energy sector is a very important factor and the government is committed to consistently adhere to the EU Directives to reduce its dust emissions from large combustion plants, said the Minister of Economic Development, Fadil Ismajli.

The Minister made these comments on the inauguration of investments in three environmental projects in TPP Kosovo A, which was also attended by the Regional Director of the World Bank, Ellen Goldstein, Ambassadors of the Netherlands and Germany in Kosovo, Peter Blomeyer and Robert Bosch, Managing Director of KEK, Arben Gjukaj, Mayor of Obiliq, Xhafer Gashi, and representatives of MESP, ERO, etc.

Minister Ismajli expressed his satisfaction that the inauguration of these projects is done exactly on March 5 – World Day of Energy Efficiency, and added that EE is one of the main priorities of the Energy Strategy to be approved these days.

From his part, the Managing Director of KEK, Arben Gjukaj, said that today marks the successful conclusion of the three environmental projects in TPP “Kosova A” such as the hydraulic ash transportation from Kosovo A in the empty mines; Installation of new electrostatic precipitators in the A4 block, and installation of the compressor station in Kosovo A.

According to him, the investment of 40 million euros that KEK has made in environmental projects will ensure that residents Obiliq, Fushë Kosovë and Prishtina can breathe more freely.

Ellen Goldstein – Director and Regional Coordinator for South East Europe – said the hydraulic system for the transportation of moist ash is one of the best environmental techniques and fully compliant with European and international standards.

Robert Bosch, the Ambassador of Holland in Kosovo said that Holland has been involved in environmental projects working closely with the World Bank and KEK.

Further, Peter Blomeyer, the German Ambassador in Kosovo, stressed that the air quality is of particular concern for everyone, and the installation of these filters is a step forward to reduce emissions.

The implementation of environmental projects in Kosovo A was high appreciated by the Mayor of Obiliq, Xhafer Gashi, who expressed his belief that this will improve the environment in the municipality.