Annual Report: FY2018 - REPOWER – KOSOVO Project

The project supports the Government of Kosovo's efforts to modernize the country's existing electricity sector, providing cleaner, reliable, and affordable energy supply critical to economic growth and quality of life. REPOWER-Kosovo is structured into two overall objectives and five corresponding components, with a performance period of five years. The project's fourth year saw a continued focus on Components 1, 2, and 3, with significant progress made towards several of its components and corresponding key performance indicators met or surpassed. Highlights of the project's achievements during the fourth project year include strengthened regulatory framework for renewable energy sources (RES). REPOWER delivered further assistance to the Energy Regulatory Office (ERO) to support the streamlining and harmonization of the regulatory framework for RES in Kosovo. This assistance included developing guidelines for RES authorizations under the new Support Scheme, a new Rule on Procedures for Issuing Certificates of Origin, and model sale and purchase contracts between 'prosumers' and energy suppliers. REPOWER also continued to assist ERO in complying with the recommendations of the Energy Community Secretariat in introducing a more market-compatible RES support scheme by introducing feed-in premiums or competitive auctions/tendering procedures instead of feed-in tariffs to support the development of RES. To strengthen the capacity of the ERO staff in their handling of Certificates of Origin, REPOWER organized a study tour for regulatory staff to visit counterparts in Croatia and Belgium. Additionally, REPOWER held a workshop for local and international financial institutions to build awareness of the new regulatory arrangements for RES in order to facilitate access to lending for project developers. The project also supported the Ministry of Economic Development in hosting a third annual High-Level Forum on the topic "Investments in Energy Infrastructure." The forum provided an opportunity for all relevant energy institutions and stakeholders in Kosovo to discuss the challenges facing the sector in implementing the government's adopted energy strategy and the need for increased cooperation among stakeholders and donors. The forum facilitated a fruitful debate through two focus groups on investments in RES and investments in energy infrastructure, attracting over 170 participants from local and international institutions.