In March, when there is still a load on the power grid and when the security of electricity supply could be jeopardized, the Energy Corporation (KEK) plans to take unit B2 of the Kosovo B Power Plant out of operation for 35 consecutive days.
The launch of this investment by KEK, at a time when there is load and when there is also parallel operation of "Termokos" for central heating needs, has been qualified as unacceptable by the Energy Regulatory Office (ERO).
KOHA has learned that ERO has requested that the announced overhaul be moved to May or another period, on the condition that the security of electricity supply is not compromised.
According to a draft plan for 2026, which KEK has submitted to ERO, the overhaul of unit B2 is planned to take place from March 4 to April 7.
The halt in production in this block means that Kosovo will have about 300 megawatt hours less production, in addition to the lack of 140 megawatt hours of production from unit A5 of the "Kosova A" power plant, in which investments are also expected to begin from February 14 to May 5.
As KOHA has learned, ERO has requested KOSTT to prepare the Energy Balance in accordance with the regulator's assessment, regardless of whether KEK reflects on the planning of overhauls, since this is not their internal matter, but is of national interest.
According to KEK's plans, unit B1 of the Kosovo B Power Plant will also be out of operation for eight months. Investments in it are planned to begin from April 8th until December 9th, causing Kosovo to have minus 250 megawatt hours of energy during this period.
One-month repairs during the months of June-July and August-September, according to the draft plan, will also be carried out in units A3 and A4. In addition to the repairs, there are also nine stops for inspections in four KEK units this year, which will last up to 10 days.
KOHA has requested a response from KEK regarding the planned investments, but they have not provided a response on Thursday.
Energy expert Adhurim Haxhimusa said that KESCO should use overhaul planning to conclude contracts earlier in order to secure more favorable energy prices.
"We will be able to use it to secure profitable long-term contracts for the period when these generating capacities will be out of operation, at more affordable prices, so that the citizen's pocket is not affected and in this way the public interest is protected. If this does not happen, there is a risk of an increase, not 20 percent, but even 30 percent," he said.
Acting Minister of Economy, Artane Rizvanolli, said on Wednesday that KEK's power plants should be shut down for several months and that electricity imports will continue to be so during these two years.
The cause of the lack of local production as a result of interventions in the blocks has been an increase in energy imports, causing KESCO, in its application for maximum revenues, to request that the price of electricity increase by over 21 percent.
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