Annual Report: FY2018 - REPOWER – KOSOVO Project

The project is structured into two overall objectives and five corresponding components, with a focus on developing a modern and reliable energy system. The project's fourth year saw significant progress, with a continued focus on Components 1, 2, and 3. Component 1 aimed to develop an enabling legislative and policy environment for clean energy projects, while Component 2 assisted the energy regulatory office with planning, preparing, and prioritizing clean energy projects. Component 3 supported the development of a common electricity market between Kosovo and Albania. One of the key achievements of the project in 2018 was the strengthening of the regulatory framework for renewable energy sources (RES) in Kosovo. REPOWER provided assistance to the Energy Regulatory Office (ERO) in developing guidelines for RES authorizations, a new rule on procedures for issuing Certificates of Origin, and model sale and purchase contracts between 'prosumers' and energy suppliers. The project also organized a study tour for regulatory staff to visit counterparts in Croatia and Belgium, and held a workshop to build awareness of the new regulatory arrangements for RES. In addition, the project supported the Ministry of Economic Development in hosting a third annual High Level Forum on energy investments, which brought together over 170 participants from local and international institutions. The forum provided an opportunity for stakeholders to discuss the challenges facing the sector and the need for increased cooperation among stakeholders and donors. The project also made progress in Component 5, which aimed to support the development of a more secure and stable energy supply. REPOWER successfully concluded planned activities with the acceptance of the amended Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for the New Kosovo Power Plant. Overall, the project made significant progress towards its objectives and key performance indicators were met or surpassed. The project's achievements in 2018 demonstrate its commitment to promoting clean energy and improving private sector investment in Kosovo's energy sector. The project's geographic focus is on Kosovo, with a specific emphasis on developing a modern and reliable energy system. The project's timeframes are from October 1, 2017, to September 30, 2018, with a performance period of five years. Implementation details for the project include the development of guidelines for RES authorizations, the organization of a study tour for regulatory staff, and the hosting of a High Level Forum on energy investments. The project also involved the assistance of the Energy Regulatory Office in complying with the recommendations of the Energy Community Secretariat. Recommendations for the project include the continued strengthening of the regulatory framework for RES, the development of a more market-compatible RES support scheme, and the facilitation of access to lending for project developers. The project's achievements in 2018 demonstrate its commitment to promoting clean energy and improving private sector investment in Kosovo's energy sector.