Photo: Josep Borrell in Prishtina
Power utility Kosovo Energy Corporation (KEK) has officially started the implementation of the project to reduce air pollution from the Kosovo B coal power plant, the largest electricity producer in Kosovo*. The project is funded by the European Union with EUR 76 million.
According to the European Commission, the replacement of filters will significantly lower emissions, contribute to reliable and clean energy supply and improve the health and well-being of the population.
The project aims at reducing the environmental impact of the thermal power plant of 678 MW by slashing dust emissions from between 300 and 700 mg/Nm³ to 20 mg/Nm³ or 35 times and NOx emissions, currently at 700-850 mg/Nm³, to 200 mg/Nm³, which is four times, in line with the Directive on Large Combustion Plants (2001/80/EC) and the Industrial Emission Directive (2010/75/EU).
The project will be implemented by a consortium of EU companies
Following a tender procedure, the EU Office in Kosovo* signed on November 28 last year a contract for the job with a consortium of European companies Engineering Dobersek GmbH, Hamon Thermal Europe SA, and RJM Corporation (EC) Ltd.
The works should be completed within three years, the EU’s executive arm said.
As part of his first visit to Kosovo*, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the commission’s Vice-President Josep Borrell has launched the project.
“Kosovo* is Europe and needs to be a part of the European Green Deal. With this project, we want to take the first step in this direction. We hope and expect that our determination will be matched by that of Kosovo’s policymakers,” he stated.
KEK is committed to investing EUR 54 million in the project
KEK Managing Director Njazi Thaçi said the company has succeeded to eliminate some of the main causes of pollution, local media reported.
As part of the EU-funded project, the utility is committed to investing EUR 54 million, he added.
The EU funds are secured from the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA).
* This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSCR 1244/99 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
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