Kosovo* processing application for 250 MW pumped storage hydropower plant

The Energy Regulatory Office of Kosovo* said it is reviewing applications for preliminary authorization for four power plants with a combined capacity of 298 MW, of which one is a 250 MW pumped storage hydropower facility.

Kosovo’s electricity sector is awaiting the release of the draft energy strategy. In the meantime, the Energy Regulatory Office or ERO published its report for 2021, revealing it is reviewing applications for preliminary permits for four projects with a total installed capacity of 298 megawatts.

The Drini pumped storage hydropower project of 250 MW in Prizren area, under development by Eurokos, dominates the list. The company signed a grid connection agreement in 2020 with transmission system operator KOSTT. At the time, the project was said to be worth EUR 300 million, with another EUR 27 million needed for investments in the network.

Eurokos has several renewable energy projects in pipeline

Eurokos, which is involved in construction, has built Kitka, Kosovo’s first wind farm. Its owner is Güriş Holding from Turkey, which intends to expand it. The second-largest project on ERO’s list is for a 33 MW wind farm also called Kitka, under development by Dardania Invest.

Of note, Eurokos recently won support from the assembly of the Municipality of Rahovec (Orahovac) for its 70 MW wind power project worth EUR 90 million. The company’s subsidiary Hidroenergji has filed an application for a hydropower plant of just under 10 MW called Lepenc 1. The site is in Hani i Elezit or Đeneral Janković in Serbian.

The fourth project by size is for NIN Technology’s 5.2 MW biomass power plant in Ferizaj or Uroševac.

Selac wind farm accounts for vast majority of commissioned capacity

ERO said 130 MW in power generation capacity was completed last year. The Bajgora wind farm, also known as Selac, has turbines with 105 MW in nominal power, but the capacity is 103.4 MW according to the regulatory body. It is divided into three projects of the same size. Seven small hydropower plants also were also finished, adding an overall 25.3 MW.

A biomass plant with an electricity capacity of 1.2 MW and 15 MW for thermal energy was finished in Gjakova.

Fifty approvals for photovoltaic systems for prosumers

Additionally, ERO highlighted Bondcom Energy Point’s Bodakova wind farm project for 11 MW, saying it is being implemented. The company has a 46 MW wind power plant called Budakova in plan, so it is unclear whether there were changes to the project or if it is an additional one, given the slightly different name.

Projects with a combined capacity of 123.4 MW including wind park Bajgora (Selac) have come online in 2021. Two future small hydropower plants with 4.8 MW in total capacity belong to Eurokos. They are located in Dragash municipality. Matkos commissioned its Vica facility in Shterpce (Štrpce) of 4.6 MW in April.

Last year ERO approved 50 requests from individuals and enterprises to obtain the status of prosumer for self-consumption and proceed with the installation. All projects are for solar power and they have 1.9 MW in total. Eleven have a planned capacity of 100 kW each and the next one by size is a 95 kW project.

Another five applications, for an overall 263 kW, were still under consideration, the report reveals.

Data compiled by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) shows the total capacity of power plants using renewable sources in Kosovo* grew 77% last year to 242 MW. The hydropower item remained at 95 MW since 2019, the annual report reads.