Kosovo’s district heating sector is inadequate and severely underdeveloped, with a capacity to meet only 5% of the total heat demand. There are three district heating (DH) systems supplying urban areas of the municipalities of Pristina, Gjakova and Mitrovica. The Pristina DH system accounts for over 80% of the total DH capacity in Kosovo*. In order to overcome technical and financial impediments to meeting the future heating demand, the Ministry of Mining and Energy of Kosovo and the Pristina District Heating Company, Termokos, have embarked on a complete overhaul of the district heating system which includes capturing power station steam to displace highly polluting heavy oil.
The WBIF technical assistance grant has funded the market analysis, selection of the best option for heat capture from Kosovo B and subsequent revisions of economic and financial aspects, environmental and social impact assessment, and assistance in legal and regulatory matters.
The intervention resulted in: i) better heating services which in turn reduced the electricity consumption for heating and made more electricity available to other Kosovo regions; ii) positive environmental impact by reducing the CO2 and other noxious gas emissions; iii) increased efficiency of the overall energy system; and iv) reduced operational costs of Termokos by about 50% due to the replacement of heavy fuels with a clean technology based on combined heat and power cogeneration.
*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence
