Prishtina, 19 May, 2023
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, together with the Minister of Economy, Artane Rizvanolli, participated today in the ceremony of the start of works in the solar thermal power plant project with a capacity of 150 MW by Solar Energy Group Europe, in the village of Bec in the municipality of Gjakova.
This moment, according to Prime Minister Kurti, symbolizes not only an important step towards our goals to raise capacities from renewable energy sources, but also our unwavering commitment to create a brighter future for our country.
While highlighting the approval of the new Energy Strategy in the Assembly of Kosovo, he emphasized that we have already set the orientations of the energy sector for the 10-year period in this Strategy, with the aim that the development of the energy sector will move towards the energy transition in accordance with the Sofia Agreement and the Western Balkans Green Plan 6, as well as gradually towards carbon neutrality by 2050.
“Today we have gathered here to mark the realization of our vision – that of striving for energy independence and the transformation of the sector towards both clean and sustainable energy”, said the Prime Minister to those present at this Inauguration.
The Law on Renewable Energy Sources and our new Energy Strategy, according to the Prime Minister, shows our commitment to create a favorable and sustainable environment to invest.
Last week, Prime Minister Kurti, together with the Minister of Economy, Artane Rizvanolli, as well as the Administrator of the American Agency for International Development (USAID), Samantha Power, launched the first auction for the solar energy park with a capacity of 100 MW.
Prime Minister Kurti’s complete speech:
Honorable Minister of Economy, Artane Rizvanolli,
The honorable Mayor of Gjakova, Ardian Gjini,
Dear deputy The German Ambassador, Matthias Conrad,
The honorable Mr. Egbert Schnuse,
Representatives of Siemens and Berdyna Groups go Energy,
Dear attendees,
The pleasure of being today in the beautiful city of Gjakova to inaugurate the solar photovoltaic plant with a capacity of 150 MË together with the Minister of Economy, Artane Rizvanolli.
This moment symbolizes not only an important step towards our goals to increase capacity from renewable energy sources, but also our unwavering commitment to create a brighter future for our country.
In Europe, increasing efforts to increase Energy Efficiency and the construction of renewable energy sources have become more important than ever, and obviously our goal is to choose the path towards decarbonization.
We have already set the orientations of the energy sector for the 10-year period in the new Energy Strategy, which we have approved in the Parliament of the Republic with the aim that the development of the energy sector will go towards the energy transition in accordance with the Sofia Agreement and the Plan Western Balkan Green 6, as well as gradually towards carbon neutrality by 2050.
Today we are gathered here to mark the realization of our vision – that of striving for energy independence and transforming the sector towards both clean and sustainable energy.
By harnessing the potential of clean energy, we are paving the way for a greener and more environmentally friendly future. We are reducing our carbon footprint and the harmful effects of climate change, while driving economic growth and job creation.
The Law on Renewable Energy Sources and our new Energy Strategy demonstrate our commitment to creating a favorable and sustainable environment to invest.
Kosovo offers numerous opportunities for foreign investors in the energy sector. We have good legality, reliable institutions, and an open market for businesses. At the same time, our policies encourage free competition and transparency in the construction of new capacities from renewable energy sources.
Our country has many advantages, among them are the young and qualified workforce, as well as the strategic location in the Balkan region. Also, in these two years of our government, foreign direct investments have doubled, but at the same time, and for one year, the value of the domestic gross product has increased, i.e. the size of our economy as much as it used to take three years together, therefore all those who invest in our country, they don’t just invest in a country that will develop sometime in the future, but a country that is already developing and whose economy is already growing.
Favorable conditions create opportunities for investors to develop their businesses in Kosovo and their successful investments undoubtedly bring benefits to everyone, as they contribute to the country’s economic growth, create new jobs and provide companies with the opportunity local in every segment of the value chain.
We are open and committed to working with foreign investors and creating an environment of genuine cooperation in order to enable the development of the energy sector and achieve our ambitious goals for sustainable energy and economic development.
As the chief said, Mr. Schnuse, the sun is energy, Gjakova is a sunny country and Siemens is not only a German corporation but also a global one, so congratulations for your work!
I wish you much success and thank you all!
Last modified: May 19, 2023