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April 6, 2025
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Kosovo* power utility KEK replaces acting CEO

The Board of Directors of Kosovo Energy Corp. (KEK) appointed Bekir Gërguri as acting chief executive officer and Ramadan Budakova as his deputy, also in an acting capacity.

The change in leadership in Prishtina-based KEK has prompted controversy. Bekir Gërguri has been named acting CEO instead of Përparim Kabashi, who has returned to his previous position as secretary. Ramadan Budakova became acting deputy CEO of the government-controlled electricity producer.

The company runs the only two coal-fired power plants in Kosovo*, which account for more than 90% of domestic output. But KEK also has a major renewables project underway, backed by funding from the European Union.

Connections between the newly appointed CEO and Kosovo’s ruling party Lëvizja Vetëvendosje (LVV) surfaced immediately after the announcement. Gërguri’s previous affiliation with it, including his candidacy for the Municipal Assembly of Fushë Kosova (called Kosovo Polje in Serbian), has raised questions about potential political influence.

KEK generated 5.53 TWh of electricity last year

Additionally, there are concerns about reports that Budakova was accused of planting wheat over a decade ago on KEK land near coal mines without authorization, resulting in his demotion.

There were issues with earlier leadership as well. Police arrested former CEO Nagip Krasniqi last year over alleged tender manipulation. He was released from detention last September, but the legal proceedings against him are ongoing.

As Kosovo’s primary energy provider, KEK plays a vital role in the country’s infrastructure and economy. It remains to be seen how the new management will navigate the challenges ahead and address concerns about transparency, accountability, and political influence.

KEK generated 5.53 TWh of electricity last year. The Kosovo A thermal power plant contributed 2.29 TWh, while Kosovo B accounted for the remainder.

Separately, through the cogeneration project with Prishtina’s Termokos, over 327 GWh of thermal energy was generated for heating purposes. This significant output has been achieved through the combustion of coal, with a total of 6.92 million tons extracted during the year 2023.

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* This designation is without prejudice to positions onstatus and is in line with UNSCR 1244/99 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
April 6, 2025
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Kosovo* to measure wind potential for auctions, public projects

The Ministry of Economy of Kosovo* will install wind gauges this year at many locations to develop projects that it intends to auction or build capacities in public ownership or within public-private partnerships.

The government never had precise data on wind energy potential, as various potential investors measured it themselves, but they didn’t do it properly either, so Kosovo* is “a little behind” in the aspect, according to Minister of Economy Artane Rizvanolli. She told lawmakers that the ministry would set up anemometers and wind vanes in many places this year to determine wind speed and direction, Buletini Ekonomik reported.

The next step will be to conduct other preliminary studies, Rizvanolli explained. The ministry will develop them into projects for the first auctions or to install capacities in public ownership or within public-private partnerships, she revealed.

Data for foreign investors

The aim is to present foreign investors with exact information on wind potential, in her words. It will contribute the success rate and process transparency, for which the ministry was praised during the first auction, Rizvanolli stressed.

Kosovo* hosts two wind power plants. Bajgora (also known as Selac) has 102.6 MW in connection capacity. The Kitka facility, of 36 MW is planned for expansion.

There is an estimated 1 GW in overall potential in the locations of Çiçavica (also Čičavica, Çiçavica and Qyqavica), Zatriq (Zatrić), Budakovo (Budakova) and Kozhica (Kožica), the article adds.

Air Energy 2 intends to install two wind power plants of 34.8 MW each, in combination with a solar power plant. StubllaEnergy is also working on a hybrid power plant of 170 MW, of which 132 MW would be in wind turbines. Most projects have long been dormant.

Next up is 150 MW wind power auction

One month ago the Ministry of Economy published the names of companies that applied to qualify for Kosovo’s pilot renewable energy auction. They are competing for a contract for difference of CfD for a solar power project of 100 MW in indicated connection capacity.

The government plans auctions for a combined 950 MW in wind and solar power and battery storage in the next two years. First up would be a public call for 150 MW in wind power.

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* This designation is without prejudice to positions onstatus and is in line with UNSCR 1244/99 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
April 6, 2025
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Kosovo* receives financing for 120 MW solar power plant on coal ash dump

The European Investment Bank is providing a EUR 33 million loan for a solar power plant of 120 MW in peak capacity. Government-controlled power utility KEK plans to install it on its former coal ash dump near Prishtina.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) signed a EUR 33 million investment loan for the construction of a photovoltaic plant in Kosovo* with a connection to the grid of up to 100 MW, translated to 120 MW in peak capacity.

The financing package for the Solar4Kosovo project is part of the European Union’s Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans of EUR 9 billion in grants. It is aimed at mobilizing a total of EUR 30 billion.

Solar power project involves EUR 32 million EU grant

The proposed facility is expected to produce 169 GWh per year, EIB said. The location, owned by government-controlled Kosovo Energy Corp. (KEK), is on the former ash dump of its Kosovo A power plant. The electricity producer is also getting a EUR 32 million grant via the EU’s Western Balkans Investment Framework.

“As one of the largest renewable energy developments in the region under Team Europe, this project will help Kosovo* achieve its energy security and renewable energy goals. Together with the European Commission and other partners, we are glad to be able to jointly help Kosovo* lay the groundwork for the decarbonisation of the local economy and diversification of the energy mix, in line with the EU Green Agenda,” said EIB’s Vice-President Kyriacos Kakouris.

Investment valued at EUR 107 million in total

Germany’s KfW Development bank is providing a EUR 29 million loan. The project’s total value, including KEK’s own funds, is estimated at EUR 107 million. The solar power plant between the towns of Obiliq/Obilić and Fushë Kosova (called Kosovo Polje in Serbian), near Prishtina, would have an underground connection to the existing substation at the Kosovo A thermal power plant.

“This project, the largest of its kind in the region, not only guarantees a sustainable energy production method but also accelerates Kosovo’s shift from conventional energy sources,” according to Kosovo’s Minister of Finance, Labour and Transfers Hekuran Murati.

Kosovo* is dependent on obsolete Kosovo A and Kosovo B coal plants for almost all its electricity. Renewables projects are gradually gaining traction.

The other part of the Solar4Kosovo project is for a solar thermal facility for the nearby capital city’s district heating system. The site is in the village of Shkabaj (Orlović) in Obiliq municipality.

In other news, the government in Prishtina established Energy Storage Corp. or ESCorp. It will manage the project for batteries with total operating power of 125 MW and 250 MWh in capacity. It is funded by the Millennium Challenge Corp. (MCC) of the United States.

The remaining 45 MW (90 MWh) is expected to be owned by Transmission, System and Market Operator (KOSTT). The battery systems are envisaged to store surplus electricity and stabilize the frequency in the transmission system. They are valued at USD 180 million altogether.

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* This designation is without prejudice to positions onstatus and is in line with UNSCR 1244/99 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
April 6, 2025
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Kosovo* completes first solar power auction at EUR 48.88 per MWh

A consortium led by Switzerland-based construction company Orllati was selected to build and operate a solar park of up to 105 MW in connection capacity for 30 years including a 15-year contract for difference. The group won the first renewable electricity auction in Kosovo* with a bid of EUR 48.88 per MWh.

Almost a year since the initial public call, the Ministry of Economy in Prishtina completed its pilot solar power auction. Even though it raised the ceiling price in late December to EUR 75 per MWh from EUR 65 per MWh amid repeated delays, it was closed at EUR 48.88 per MWh.

Switzerland-based Orllati leads the winning consortium, consisting of companies from Germany and Kosovo*. The construction firm is led by Kosovar diaspora, officials said.

The victory in the electronic auction translates to the right to take land on lease for a photovoltaic park of 90 MW to 105 MW in total connection capacity and up to 117 MW in peak terms. Orllati agreed to build and operate the facility for 30 years, of which the first 15 years it would sell electricity under a contract for difference (CfD) equalling the winning price.

The government-owned land is in the cadastral zones of Kramovik and Petković (Guri i Kuq) in the municipality of Rahovec or Orahovac.

Auction terms were amended ten times

Two Turkish consortia participated in the auction – Çalik and Limak, and Güri̇ş İnşaat ve Mühendislik (Güri̇ş Construction and Engineering) – together with Akuo Energy, headquartered in France, and Egypt-based Elswedy Electric. It consisted of four rounds, the ministry said. The first one, with 43 bids, drove the price down to EUR 57 per MWh while the final level was reached in the third one.

Kosovo* intends to launch auctions this year for 45 MW in battery storage and 150 MW in wind power

Minister of Economy Artane Rizvanolli said the competitive process is ensuring affordability for citizens, strengthening the security of supply and the sector’s sustainability and enabling private investments. She revealed that the auction terms were amended ten times in line with investors’ suggestions.

The winner will invest more than EUR 70 million, according to the government, which is preparing to issue calls for auctions this year for 45 MW in battery storage and 150 MW in wind power. There is 950 MW in total in the pipeline, Rizvanolli noted, saying the potential investments are valued at an overall EUR 1.2 billion.

Ceiling price at Albania’s next auction will be EUR 59.97 per MWh

The bidding was organized with the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The renewable electricity auction model was developed with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

Kosovo* hosts just two operational wind power plants and some hydropower and photovoltaic capacities.

For comparison, Romania is preparing its first solar power auction for CfDs with a maximum price of EUR 91 per MWh. Amid weak participation, the lowest price at Serbia’s first solar power auction, held last year, was EUR 88.65 per MWh, just 35 eurocents below the starting level.

The maximum acceptable price in Albania’s upcoming auction is EUR 59.97 per MWh. The two previous auctions, in 2021 and 2020, were similar to the latest one in Kosovo*. The government secured land for one large-scale project at a time and for one investor each. Voltalia was the winner both for Spitalla (EUR 29.89 per MWh) and Karavasta (EUR 24.89 per MWh).

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* This designation is without prejudice to positions onstatus and is in line with UNSCR 1244/99 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
April 6, 2025
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Kosovo* adopts Law on the Promotion of the Use of Renewable Energy Sources

Only after the first auction was held, lawmakers in Prishtina enabled subsidizing renewable electricity plants through contracts for difference (CfDs). Passing the Law on the Promotion of the Use of Renewable Energy Sources, they also cleared the way for the introduction of guarantees of origin, a renewable energy operator and support fund, energy communities and energy storage in Kosovo*. The legislation includes provisions on self-consumption.

Kosovo’s parliament adopted the Law on the Promotion of the Use of Renewable Energy Sources. It won praise from the Energy Community Secretariat for aligning the legal framework with the Renewable Energy Directive. The international organization based in Vienna also commended the move toward sustainable energy development.

“This law will bring benefits to the private sector, through new concepts of consumer involvement in the energy sector and through the definition of procedures that must be done competitively. In this way, all enterprises are treated equally, benefiting from their competition which leads to lower prices and affordable costs for citizens,” the Ministry of Energy said.

Provisions for green heating, cooling, transportation

Among the objectives are increasing the security of supply and protecting the environment. The Law on the Promotion of the Use of Renewable Energy Sources includes provisions on the combined generation of heat and power (CHP or cogeneration).

The legislation covers the electricity sector, heating and cooling and transportation. The law cleared the way for incentivizing consumers to produce, store and sell the surplus of renewable electricity.

A system for guarantees of origin of electricity is envisaged to be rolled out as well. Notably, the Energy Regulatory Office (ERO) expects to establish a registry in June. The law stipulates that a renewable energy operator would be founded. The entity would manage a renewable energy support fund.

Liquid day-ahead market was necessary to have reference prices for CfDs

In addition, the legislation defines energy communities, energy storage activities and behind-the-meter installations for renewables self-consumers. Such units wouldn’t be able to inject electricity into the grid.

The adoption of the law was apparently on hold until the Albanian Power Exchange (ALPEX) set up a liquid day-ahead market. Kosovo* and Albania jointly launched the bourse. The reference price set in trading is necessary for obligations determined in contracts for difference (CfDs). The subsidies are awarded in renewable energy auctions.

On the other hand, the first such competitive bidding process was completed late last month, before the Law on the Promotion of the Use of Renewable Energy Sources was passed.

The Government of North Macedonia sent a similar bill to the national assembly a month ago.

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* This designation is without prejudice to positions onstatus and is in line with UNSCR 1244/99 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
April 6, 2025
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Turkey-based Yıldırım building 109 MW solar park in Kosovo* for its ferronickel plant

Yıldırım Energy laid the foundation stone in Kosovo* for the first phase of its 150 MW solar farm. The Turkish company intends to produce electricity for its ferronickel plant, which exports its entire output.

A renewable energy investment of more than EUR 43 million is underway in Gllogovc (also known as Glogovac and Drenas). Yıldırım Group’s subsidiary Yıldırım Energy marked its expansion to Kosovo* by inaugurating the construction works on a 109 MW solar park.

The facility will reduce electricity costs and facilitate sustainable production at the NewCo Ferronikeli plant, its General Manager Cemil Acar said. The ferronickel production complex exports all its products, he pointed out. The photovoltaic plant is due to come online early next year, he revealed.

Company’s solar park is among largest ones in construction in Western Balkans

Using renewable energy in production would enable the group to be exempted from paying the European Union’s CO2 import levy, imposed through the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism or CBAM. Ferronickel is a ferroalloy, consisting of iron and nickel.

With the new photovoltaic plant, the group will get cheap electricity for its production lines and it can also exempt it from the EU’s carbon border tax system

Separately, the government in Prishtina said the first section of the solar power plant would have over 54 MW in capacity. The company’s target is to reach 150 MW by 2026, it added. It would make it the biggest in the Western Balkans so far, though Solar Energy Group Europe (SEGE) said a year ago that it launched the construction of an agrisolar power plant of 150 MW in peak capacity in Gjakova (Đakovica), also in Kosovo*.

The Ministry of Economy recently completed its first solar power auction, for a plant of up to 117 MW in peak terms. In comparison, government-controlled power utility Kosovo Energy Corp. (KEK) has a PV project of 120 MW underway. The facility will be built at a former ash dump of its Kosovo A power plant.

Energy crisis knocked out Ferronikeli in 2021

NewCo Ferronikeli resumed production last June after a break of almost two years. It was caused by a surge in electricity prices amid the energy crisis. The group entered ownership in 2022.

Yıldırım Energy trades power and gas, conducts electrification services and produces renewable energy, focused on hydropower, solar and wind. The firm is building a solar panel plant in Kocaeli in Turkey, according to its website. It also operates in North Macedonia and Albania.

The group, founded in 1963, is active in 57 countries. Its operations are based in Istanbul and the financial headquarters are in Amsterdam.

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* This designation is without prejudice to positions onstatus and is in line with UNSCR 1244/99 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.