Energy Secretariat pleased with Kosovo’s preparatory work on National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP)

As part of a study tour on renewable energy (RES) and energy efficiency in Austria, a delegation from Kosovo* paid today a visit at the Secretariat. The 5-day study tour was planned and co-ordinated by the Secretariat with the EU’s financial support and implementation by GIZ IS in Kosovo. In its presentations, the Secretariat stressed the foreseen tasks and deadlines under the prevailing renewable energy and energy efficiency acquis. It is pleased with Kosovo’s* forecasts on National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP) and the work done towards implementing the energy efficiency savings Directive.
The presentation on RES recalled the amendments to the Directive 2009/28/EC under the Article 20 of the Treaty. Cooperation with the EU can take place in the form of statistical transfers, joint support schemes, or, as a joint project between EU and the Contracting Parties. With joint projects, clear evidence that the energy has been produced in the Energy Community prior to the export to the EU will be prerequisite. Statistical transfers will be possible only when the Party can prove that it is well on track in achieving its RES targets by 2020.
Starting with a share of 18.9% in 2009, Kosovo* has committed to achieve a RES share of 25% by 2020. The Secretariat pointed out that besides new investments in renewable energy one of the most effective way to achieve the RES target would be to apply energy efficiency measures that result in an overall reduction of energy consumption. The deadline to transpose the Directive 2009/28/EC is 1 Jan 2014.
The Directive sets an overall target of achieving 10 % of RES in transport by 2020. It also spells out sustainability criteria on green house gas emission savings, as well as, on the type of land used for biofuel crops. Whilst there is no obligation to have domestic biofuel production, the Parties have to establish a certification body that control the compliance of the biofuel with the sustainability criteria. To this end, the staff of Ministry of Energy will have to work together with their counterparts in Ministry of Forestry and Agriculture. The Secretariat finally stressed that biofuels from waste count the double towards achieving the targets. Also, the other renewable sources and fuels, besides liquid biofuels, can be used to reach the target.
In the area of energy efficiency, the deadline for the Directive 2006/32 energy savings was set for end of 2011. According to the Secretariat’s assessment, Kosovo* is doing well. It transposed the respective law, drafted its first National Energy Efficiency Action Plan and established an Energy Efficiency Agency in 2011. The challenges in implementing the Directive 2010/31 on building are much bigger. Kosovo* still need secondary legislation and rules on thermal protection.
The delegation consisted of 12 persons representing the Ministry of Economic Development, the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Energy Regulatory Office and GIZ IS in Kosovo. The study tour takes the delegation to the town of Güssing with examples on solar school, biomass power and biogas plants. It also includes visits to Energiepark in Bruck/Leitha, small and large HHPs along the Danube river and a passive house village in Upper Austria.

energjia.al, 17.04.2013