With an annual per capita GDP of €2,600, Kosovo is one of Europe''s poorest countries. More than a third of its citizens live below the poverty line and almost half of its population is unemployed (three out of four people under the age of 25 are unemployed). A major obstacle to Kosovo''s economic growth and development is inadequate and unreliable electricity, with frequent power outages disrupting manufacturing, education, and health services.
A recent, donor-funded study concluded that the Balkans region should develop a regional gas-ring, aggregate the limited demand of the countries in South East Europe (SEE), and develop anchor-load for making gas infrastructure viable and gas supply contracts commercially viable.
The Energy Community Secretariat, the World Bank, and European multilateral development banks are in the initial stages of discussing further analytical work that would help countries develop commercial arrangements for (a) gas-to-power generation on a regional basis through a regional public-private-partnership and (b) a joint venture for aggregating the demand of Balkans countries, negotiating gas-supply agreements, and providing the necessary credit enhancements to support private sector investment in gas pipeline infrastructure.
Financing and development of gas infrastructure is unlikely to become available in the medium-term, although it will be an important part of the long-term energy supply options for Kosovo and other countries in South East Europe.Kosovo wants to take a comprehensive approach to developing and modernizing its energy sector.
The Government of Kosovo wants to ensure adequate and reliable power for its citizens and improve energy efficiency nationally. Kosovo also wants to shut down a 40-year-old power plant, called Kosovo A, which is one of the worst point sources of pollution in Europe.Many studies of Kosovo''s energy program have been conducted with donor assistance over the last ten years.
Recently, the World Bank conducted a study titled Development and Evaluation of Power Supply Options for Kosovo that draws on several reports and models projected use of the installed capacity of all power supply options by Kosovo.
This Options Study enabled comparisons and relative evaluation of the economic and environmental costs of various energy sources''. For more details on the options analyses conducted by the World Bank and other organizations, click here (available soon).
In order to meet Kosovo''s current and future energy shortages, the Options Study considered efficiency improvements, demand-side management, construction of small hydropower plants and other renewable sources, trading power with Albania, importing electricity from neighboring countries, and additional thermal generation.
The energy mix under consideration by the Government of Kosovo would include a 300-MW hydropower plant, 60 MW from small hydropower plants, and 395 MW in wind, biomass and biogas-fired power generation as well as a proposed 600-MW coal power plant that would enable Kosovo to shut down the Kosovo A Power Plant and eliminate supply shortages that cripple Kosovo''s economy.
The World Bank''s Options Study also compared projected economic and environmental costs for the 600-MW lignite plant, a 575-MW natural gas plant, and a 575-MW fuel oil plant. The study found that inclusive of the environmental costs the lignite plant was lowest-cost option.
The World Bank has looked carefully at Kosovo''s energy options and the economics of each. There is considerable potential for energy efficiency and potential for renewable energy. These should be developed in addition to providing the firm baseload capacity Kosovo needs.
The World Bank-funded Environmental Clean-up of Kosovo A project has been under implementation for more than four years and has helped revegetate the ashdump associated with an old power plant and remove hazardous chemicals from an old coal-gasification plant.
IFC is supporting Kosovo''s energy sector through the Privatization of Kosovo''s Electricity Distribution and Supply Project to upgrade the distribution networks in accordance with international standards and improve the efficiency of billing, collection, and customer service.
Calculations provided by the Ministry of Economic Development indicate that after the start-up of a new plant, the closure of Kosovo A and rehabilitation of Kosovo B, dust emissions would be reduced by more than 90%, SOx and NOx by around 70%, and there would be no increase in carbon emissions per unit of electricity produced.
As part of the due diligence and preparation of a PRG for this project, a number of studies will be conducted on the technical, financial, environmental, and social aspects of the project. Regular consultations with stakeholders will be held as well.
An independent Expert Panel has assessed the proposed project and determined that it meets the Bank''s screening criteria in Development and Climate Change: A Strategic Framework for the World Bank Group. The Expert Panel report was released at the end of January 2012 and public discussions on the report were held in Pristina in February 2012.
The three distinguished energy experts that comprise the independent Panel are Dr. János Beér, Dr. Wladyslaw Mielczarski, and Dr. Derek Taylor. In their review of the project, they noted Kosovo''s fragile, post-conflict economy, its limited capacity for growth, and they agreed that the supply of secure and affordable electricity is vital for its development and stability.
The Panel also strongly encourages the involvement of civil society in the various processes whenever this is possible through openness and transparency and fully developed consultation processes.
The provision of the World Bank Group loans and guarantees is subject to satisfactory appraisal by the Bank Group, compliance with all applicable requirements of the Bank Group, including those related to the social and environmental issues, review and acceptance of the ownership, management, financing structure, and transaction documentation by the Bank Group, and the approval of the management and Executive Directors of each Bank Group institution in their sole discretion.
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