Pristina, 18 December 2024
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, together with the Minister of Economy, Artane Rizvanolli, inaugurated the first auction for wind energy with a capacity of 100 MW, which marks the prequalification phase of the auction, which will be followed by the financial bidding phase.
In his address, the Prime Minister emphasized that diversifying and multiplying energy sources through renewable energy is not only a solution for developing our energy sector and economy but also a necessity for protecting the energy independence of the Republic of Kosovo.
“In our energy policies, as in every decision and policy of our Government, we are committed to a Kosovo that, while growing and developing, is guided by the principle of justice: economic justice, social justice, and environmental justice. According to this principle, we have ensured that citizens are always at the center of our policies, which reflect direct improvements for families seeking clean air and affordable prices; for local businesses needing supply security and competitiveness; and for future generations, to whom we owe the responsibility of ensuring that our economic development today does not come at the expense of their health, nature, or future,” said Prime Minister Kurti.
He stated that Kosovo is fortunate to have significant natural potential for renewable energy, with abundant sunlight for solar energy and strong winds in our mountains for wind energy, and with institutional effort and commitment, this potential can be turned into productive and generating capacities.
“By 2031, we are committed to achieving capacities of 1600 MW from renewable energy sources – clean energy through competitive procedures that translate into better prices for our citizens. The solar auction was implemented based on this commitment and demonstrated the great advantages of such schemes: through healthy competition, the purchase price of energy decreased by 35% compared to the ceiling price, and all these benefits directly go to our citizens and businesses. Through an exemplary process of transparency and professionalism for the wider region, we have shown how attractive Kosovo is for foreign and diaspora investments, when all institutions work together and in the right direction,” he further added.
Prime Minister Kurti expressed his gratitude to the International Finance Corporation (IFC), supported by the German Government, and extended special appreciation to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Government of the United States of America for their significant and continuous support in developing the energy sector, economy and our state.
“When you are on the right path and make the right decisions, strong winds do not knock you down but shape and sustain you. Today, we are giving these winds a purpose: we are harnessing them to produce energy,” concluded Prime Minister Kurti.
On this important occasion, Minister of Economy Artane Rizvanolli also spoke, stating that today marks the launch of the prequalification phase for the first wind auction, which will proceed with the financial bidding stages. She emphasized that the competition will be conducted fairly and transparently, ensuring that regardless of the company or consortium ultimately selected to construct the wind park, the greatest beneficiary will undoubtedly be the citizens of the Republic of Kosovo, with affordable prices, clean energy, secure energy, and sustainability.
Prime Minister Kurti’s full speech:
Honorable Ms. Artane Rizvanolli, Minister of Economy,
Distinguished Mr. Mathias Conrad, Deputy Ambassador of Germany to Kosovo,
Distinguished Ms. Elieen Devitt, Director of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission,
Distinguished Mr. Nicolas Marquier, Regional Director for the Western Balkans at the International Finance Corporation (IFC),
Honorable Ministers and Deputy Ministers,
Honorable members of the Assembly of the Republic,
Honored ambassadors and representatives of diplomatic missions from friendly countries accredited in our country,
Distinguished representatives and leaders of various institutions of the Republic of Kosovo,
Honored business representatives, media representatives,
Distinguished attendees,
Ladies and gentleman,
It is a pleasure that we are concluding this extraordinarily successful year for the energy sector with yet another success: the opening of our first wind energy auction with a capacity of 100 MW.
Our economy is growing at the fastest pace in the region, with an average GDP growth rate of 6.36% over the last three years, 2021-2023. Today, compared to the beginning of our government’s mandate, we have doubled exports and more than doubled Foreign Direct Investments. This economic growth is also reflected in the increased energy consumption by our businesses.
Over the past year, electricity consumption has increased, but the growth in consumption by businesses has been 19 times higher compared to the increase in household consumption- even as nearly 20,000 new household consumers were added.
While on one hand, we are improving energy efficiency to reduce overall energy demand and investing in new district heating capacities to cover a portion of the demand for thermal energy, this economic growth must undoubtedly be accompanied by the construction of new energy capacities.
In our energy policies, as in every decision and policy of our Government, we are committed to a Kosovo that, while growing and developing, is guided by the principle of justice: economic justice, social justice, and environmental justice. According to this principle, we have ensured that citizens are always at the center of our policies, which reflect direct improvements for families seeking clean air and affordable prices; for local businesses needing supply security and competitiveness; and for future generations, to whom we owe the responsibility of ensuring that our economic development today does not come at the expense of their health, nature, or future.
Commitment to economic and environmental justice becomes even more significant in the face of global challenges that influence energy policies.
Two years ago, just before we announced our first solar auction with a capacity of 100 MW, Russia’s aggression in Ukraine triggered an unprecedented energy crisis across our continent. This way, everyone ultimately realized that dependence on energy imports, especially from autocratic states, is dangerous not only for the economy but also for national security. Even now, before this auction we are launching, we faced a similar reminder: the kinetic terrorist attack on our critical infrastructure at the Ibër-Lepenc canal for water and energy supply reminded us how crucial it is to strengthen ourselves in the energy dimension of governance and daily life.
So, diversifying and multiplying energy sources through renewable energy is not only a solution for developing our energy sector and economy but also a necessity for protecting the energy independence of the Republic of Kosovo.
Here, we are fortunate! Kosovo has significant natural potential for renewable energy, with abundant sunlight for solar energy and strong winds in our mountains for wind energy. With institutional effort and dedication, this potential can be transformed into generating and productive capacities.
By 2031, we are committed to achieving capacities of 1600 MW from renewable energy sources – clean energy through competitive procedures that translate into better prices for our citizens. The solar auction was implemented based on this commitment and demonstrated the great advantages of such schemes: through healthy competition, the purchase price of energy decreased by 35% compared to the ceiling price, and all these benefits directly go to our citizens and businesses. Through an exemplary process of transparency and professionalism for the wider region, we have shown how attractive Kosovo is for foreign and diaspora investments, when all institutions work together and in the right direction.
With the high standards we established in the previous auction, we are now developing the wind energy auction, adding 100 MW of clean energy to the country and providing investors with 100 reasons to invest in Kosovo.
Before handing the floor to the Minister of Economy, Artane Rizvanolli, to provide more details about the auction, I want to express our gratitude for this collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), supported by the German Government, and extend special appreciation to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Government of the United States of America for their significant and continuous support in developing the energy sector, economy and our state.
I commend the Ministry of Economy for leading these vital projects for our country’s energy transition with the highest level of professionalism, while also thanking all other institutions, particularly the Energy Regulatory Office, for their indispensable contribution to all these processes.
When you are on the right path and make the right decisions, strong winds do not knock you down but shape and sustain you. Today, we are giving these winds a purpose: we are harnessing them to produce energy.
Thank you.
Last modified: December 23, 2024