Kosovo gets energy independence, minister Hajdari says

Gazeta Express

20/04/2020 20:20

Kosovo’s caretaker minister of Economy, Rozeta Hajdari, said that Kosovo got independence in energy after the European Network of Transmission System Operators (ENTSO) voted on Monday that Kosovo grid operator KOSTT to act as an independent grid operator.

“With Today’s vote and signing of the deal to follow, the New Access Agreement between the KOSTT and ENTSO, the KOSTT and the Republic of Kosovo gain energy independence,” Hajdari said on Facebook. Minister Hajdari thanked Germany, United Stated and other friendly countries for enabling Kosovo get independence in energy calling today’s vote as historic.

The German Embassy in Pristina issued a statement congratulating KOSTT and the Government of Kosovo on the positive outcome of the voting process within the European Network of Transmission System Operators (ENTSO-E) regarding the new Connection Agreement that will be signed with KOSTT. The Connection Agreement finally enables the establishment of an independent control area for Kosovo – this is a milestone for Kosovo and for cooperation in the region.

“This is the outcome of a long and demanding path on which Germany stood permanently at the side of Kosovar governments and institutions. We jointly believe in the benefit of our cooperation for regional stability and are convinced that the Connection Agreement with ENTSO-E is key for further economic development in the region. Kosovar citizens of all communities will profit in the end,” the German Embassy said in a statement. Beyond the further stabilization of the European power grid, one highly important result of the recent decision will be the functionalization of the 400kV-power line between Kosovo and Albania that has been financed by German financial cooperation with more than 75 million Euro – it is a huge success that this project can now unleash its full potential for the region’s energy sector. The German government and its implementing organization KfW have invested close to 100 million Euro into the extension and modernization of the Kosovar electricity transmission network. We are happy to have such competent and committed partners in KOSTT. /GazetaExpress/