Electricity generation in Kosovo* has been almost entirely dependent on two state-owned aging and polluting lignite plants: Kosova A (five units with 800 MW installed) and Kosova B (two units with 678 MW installed). Both plants are highly polluting and Kosova B is the highest emitter of dust of all coal plants in the Western Balkans. This adds significantly to Kosovo’s heavy air pollution and environmental problems. The energy sector is the main source of greenhouse gas emissions.
A key impediment, however, to renewable energy development for both the public and private sectors in Kosovo has been the underdeveloped regulatory regime and a lack of complete and reliable resource data.
In these circumstances, WBIF has provided a grant for the assessment of the electricity sector in Kosovo with an emphasis on the assessment of renewable energy generation potential. More specifically, technical assistance was divided into two phases. Phase 1 aimed to identify and perform a preliminary assessment of the technical, economic and financial viability of utility-scale renewable power plant investments in Kosovo. Phase 2 aimed to identify the most suitable sites with the lowest development risk and underlying plots that can be considered for government concession tenders for the development of utility-scale solar PV and wind projects.
* This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
