Obiliq, April 7, 2023
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, accompanied by the Minister of Economy, Artane Rizvanolli and the Deputy Minister of Environment, Spatial Planning, and Infrastructure, Mr. Hysen Durmishi, visited the Thermal Power Plant “Kosova B” on the occasion of the signing of the agreement between the Kosovo Energy Corporation and the American company General Electric (GE), for the Modernization of the Steam Turbines of “Kosova B” Thermal Power Plant, worth 56.2 million euros.
Assessing this as one of the most important events in the energy sector in Kosovo, the prime minister recalled the age of the power plants, saying that the power plant units of the Kosovo Energy Corporation began construction more than six decades ago, and that between 1960 – years and now, they alone have guaranteed the stability of electricity supply in Kosovo.
In his speech to the audience, he said that the power plants have been used beyond their maximum operation. Even in KEK, it is rightly stated that we have often been in trouble. Of these Thermal Power Plants, that of “Kosovo B”, as the youngest, has borne the biggest burden.
“Today’s ceremony is one of the main steps we are taking to ease this burden, increase security of supply, and get closer to our vision for the energy sector,” said Prime Minister Kurti.
He singled out the fact that the company with which the contract for the modernization of Kosova B was signed, to ensure that Kosova B will continue to be strong for decades to come, is the same one that had designed the technology of the area’s thermal power plants in 1983 and 1984.
As a result of this modernization, the capacities of the units will increase from 14 to 17 megawatts, while after the completion of the works that will be done on the High and Low Pressure Turbines, we will not need frequent capital repairs, but only every 8 or 9 years.
“Essentially, these investments result in increased production equivalent to the construction of a new power plant. Increased production will translate into greater energy independence, thus reducing dependence on imports.”
Prime Minister Kurti announced that at the end of this month the first energy auction in Kosovo will be launched on public land with a capacity of 100 MW, that after it, many other such competitive schemes will soon follow.
All this, together with other projects in implementation such as Solar4Kosova and the construction of storage capacities within the MCC grant, will ensure greater efficiency and sustainability not only for the energy sector, but also for the economy and for national security, said Prime Minister Kurti, who also said that the responsible maintenance of public property and our energy assets – as well as the full use of their potential – is a necessity.
Full speech of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti:
Honorable Chief Executive Officer of the Kosovo Energy Cooperation, Mr. Nagip Krasniqi
Honorable Minister of Economy, Mrs. Artane Rizvanolli,
Honorable Deputy Minister of Environment, Spatial Planning , and Infrastructure, Mr. Hysen Durmishi,
Deputy Mayor of the Municipality of Obiliq, Mr. Ibush Mjekiqi,
Dear Regional Executive Director of GE Steam Power, Mr. Simon Glover, and the GE team,
Honorable Chairman of the Board of KEK, Mr. Skender Haziri,
Honorable board members and executive management of KEK,
Ladies and gentleman,
Honorable attendees,
It is my pleasure to be here with all of you today. While we are paving the legislative and strategic path in our energy sector, today’s signing marks a decisive event for one of Kosovo’s main pillars in the energy sector: KEK.
The power plant units of the Kosovo Energy Corporation started construction more than six decades ago. Between the 1960s and now, they alone have guaranteed the sustainability of electricity supply in Kosovo.
Power plants have been used beyond their maximum operating capacity. Even in KEK, it is rightly stated that we have often been in trouble, endangering their operation. Of these Thermal Power Plants, the one of Kosovo B, as the youngest, has borne the biggest burden.
Today’s ceremony is one of the main steps we are taking to ease this burden, increase security of supply, and get closer to our vision for the energy sector.
It makes a lot of sense that we are here today, together with the General Electric Company. The same company that had designed the technology of the area’s thermal power plants in 1983 and 84, and will now modernize Kosova B, to ensure that Kosova B will continue strong for decades to come.
The importance of this modernization cannot be emphasized enough. The capacity of the units will increase from 14 to 17 megawatts. After the reconstruction that will be done in the High and Low Pressure Turbines, we will not need frequent capital repairs; they will only be needed every 8 or 9 years.
Essentially, these investments result in increased production equivalent to the construction of a new power plant. Increased production will translate into greater energy independence, thus reducing dependence on imports.
Since energy independence is one of our main goals, the modernization of our infrastructure fits well with our overall efforts in this sector and is in line with our first research-based and progressive energy strategy.
We have already started the process of the 100 MW solar energy park in KEK and the construction of central solar heating for Pristina, which will benefit about 60 thousand citizens.
We have signed and started work on the construction of energy storage capacities, which will ensure that we can make the best use of our existing and new production capacities.
We have secured over 400 million euros in grants to increase efficiency, strengthen our sector and increase our production capacity. And what may be the most exciting part, is that these capacities will be built on competitive schemes.
At the end of this month, we will launch the first energy auction in Kosovo on public land with a capacity of 100 MW. And many more such competing schemes will soon follow.
All of these together will ensure greater efficiency and sustainability not only for the energy sector, but also for our economy and our national security. Today’s event plays a role in this as well. We cannot simply be satisfied with the infrastructure we already have. On the contrary, responsible maintenance of public property and our energy assets – as well as exploiting their full potential – is a must.
Until now, the units of the Kosova B Thermal Power Plant have completed about 215 thousand working hours. With modernization we guarantee similar realism in the next two decades. Together with the support of the EU for the reduction of emissions from these units, we are guaranteeing a sustainable development of the energy sector in Kosovo.
Thank you very much!
Last modified: April 13, 2023