Electricity Transmission System In Kosovo One-Step Closer To Modernization

The Government of the Republic of Kosovo is grateful to the Government of Germany for their continuous support provided ever since the end of the war.

“We are committed to develop and advance these relationships permanently”, said Minister of Finance, Besim Beqaj after signing the Agreement on Loan and Financing amounted to EUR 23.5 million with the aim of improving the transmission network in Kosovo.
The overall financing of the project amounts to approximately EUR 31 million and consists of the European Union grants, IDA grants and loans of the German government, complemented by a KFW loan.

The Minister of Finance, Besim Beqaj, the Director for South -Eastern Europe and Turkey in KFW, Christophe Tiskens, the Executive Chief of Transmission, System, and Market Operator (KOSTT), Naim Bejtullahu, and the representative of the European Union Office in Kosovo, Sirje Poder, signed the agreement.
On this occasion, Minister Beqaj emphasized that cooperation with the German Government will continue with the same pace as that we had from the post – war period .

“With this agreement, the Kosovo government will borrow 20.5 million from KfW and will receive 3 million financial contributions from the European Commission. The Ministry of Finance will sub-lend funds to KOSTT”.

“The project on improvement of transmission network will contribute to the reduction of electricity losses and to sustainable improvement of cost -effective security and reliability of electricity supply in Kosovo. Moreover, the project supports the integration of the Kosovo electricity network to the European energy market and the fulfilment of requirements of the European Network of Transmission Operators of Electricity (ENTSO – E). Thus, the project contributes to improving living conditions for the entire population of Kosovo by better protecting the environment and climate, “said Christoph Tiskens, KfW representative.
Meanwhile, the representative of the European Union Office in Kosovo, Sirje Poder, said that “The newly signed agreement will significantly improve the living standards of the citizens of Kosovo as well as it will bring a better climate for businesses to create new jobs. “

The Executive Chief of Transmission, System, and Market Operator (KOSTT) Naim Bejtullahu thanked the German Government for the loan and the European Commission for the grant. “KFW continuous being a strategic partner of KOSTT by showing commitments towards further developments of Kosovo Transmission System,” underlined Bejtullahu.

At this ceremony, the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany in Pristina, Peter Blomeyer underlined his country’s commitment for supporting concrete projects aimed at creating the best possible conditions for the life of Kosovo citizens.

energjia.al, 25.09.2013