Prishtina, 26 August, 2024
Today, the second public call for subsidizing energy efficiency measures in individual homes was launched, which aims to directly subsidize families to invest in increasing energy efficiency in their homes and apartments.
In his introductory speech, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, stated that this year we intend to subsidize another 1,300 families, while 2,100 families, with over 12,000 members, benefited from the first call, in which case the value the total subsidy reached 7.9 million euros.
“This time the call is expected to remain open for two weeks, but given the very positive experience of the families so far and the great interest in this call, I invite you all to apply as soon as possible”, said the Prime Minister.
Further, he added that these ongoing measures are designed to improve the quality of life and reduce energy costs for families and businesses in our country. They are also the result of the financial support of the European Union, which has launched an emergency support package for the countries of the Western Balkans, where the Republic of Kosovo received 75 million euros, the largest package per capita in the region.
While thanking the European Union for the support, as well as the Kosovo Fund for Energy Efficiency, the Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Finance, Labor and Transfers for the implementation of the measures, Prime Minister Kurti invited citizens to open accounts in e-Kosova and apply for it be the beneficiary of the call.
Prime Minister Kurti’s complete speech:
Dear Ms. Artane Rizvanolli, Minister of Economy,
The honorable Mr. Driton Hetemi, Director of the Kosovo Fund for Energy Efficiency,
The honorable Mr. Alessandro Biancardi, representative of the European Union Office in Kosovo,
Dear representatives of the media,
Dear attendees,
ladies and gentlemen,
In the years 2022 and 2023 as the whole of Europe was facing an unprecedented energy crisis, the supply was being jeopardized for all of us. The necessity for re-shaping Europe’s energy system became clear. Europe could not remain hostage to imports from the energy sources of autocratic and aggressive states like Russia. The only way to avoid this is through increasing energy production from independent sources, as well as through reducing consumption by increasing energy efficiency.
At that time, meeting after meeting, we have asked that when the measures for exiting the crisis for the European Union are prepared, the countries of the Western Balkans should not be left aside. After all, the only way out of a common crisis is close substantive cooperation between all our countries. As a result, the European Union has launched an emergency support package for the countries of the Western Balkans, where the Republic of Kosovo received 75 million euros, or the highest amount per capita in the region.
The purpose of this package was to mitigate the socio-economic impact of the energy crisis. But on this occasion we had something else in mind. When we designed this package, we made sure that the benefits are immediate, not just short-term. The measures are designed to improve the quality of life and reduce energy costs for the families and businesses of our country in the future, in the long term. We have based this package, supported by the European Union, on a successful scheme of the Ministry of Economy during the winter of 2022-2023: the subsidy scheme for efficient heating equipment for 10,000 families, as well as other innovative ideas.
One of the measures most welcomed by citizens last year, and with the biggest positive impact in the long term, is exactly what we are launching today – measures for energy efficiency in individual homes.
The call was open according to the same principle: who comes first, first served. As a result of the great interest, the call was closed for only 13 days, although it was planned to be open for 45 days. This time the call is expected to remain open for two weeks, but given the very positive experience of families so far and the great interest in this call, I invite you all to apply as soon as possible because whoever applies first is served first.
2,100 families, with over 12,000 members, benefited from the first call. The total value of the subsidy has reached 7.9 million euros. This time we intend to subsidize another 1,300 families to insulate their houses, to replace the external doors and windows and to insulate the roofs of the houses.
In the years 2022 and 2023 as the whole of Europe was facing an unprecedented energy crisis, we are clear that we had to undertake something that makes us part of Europe to get out of that common crisis, and the European Union proved a such a thing precisely by sharing such a help. We are together when we help each other and the European Union has exactly this goal and meaning.
And now, dear citizens, throughout the last three years as the Government we have worked to draft comprehensive policies and implement such measures and initiatives that support each and every one of you. The measures we are launching today are no exception. As institutions, we have ensured that every citizen of the Republic of Kosovo can benefit from them. We are helping you to raise the quality of life by making sure that with as little energy expenditure as possible, you can keep your homes warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Therefore, I invite you all to open your accounts in e-Kosova and apply to be beneficiaries of the calls.
I want to thank the European Union for the financial support of 75 million euros, this is solidarity in their work, for the measures that facilitate the confrontation with the crisis and that are implemented by the Kosovo Fund for Energy Efficiency, the Ministry of Economy, and the Ministry of Finance, Labor and Transfers. I also want to congratulate the Kosovar Fund for Energy Efficiency for an excellent job with these measures and direct support of families.
You blessed priests, thank you!
Last modified: August 27, 2024