The Government of Kosovo* has asked the United States to help it with coal gasification projects, rather than expressing readiness to join a regional natural gas supply network promoted by the administration in Washington DC.
In a letter to the US Embassy in Prishtina, seen by Koha, Minister of Economy Artane Rizvanolli asked for US help with projects related to coal gasification, citing Kosovo’s large lignite reserves and US President Donald Trump’s support for the coal industry.
The government wants the US to provide technical support and investment in the coal-based energy sector, according to the letter, sent in April, the media outlet reported.
The US is expected to supply LNG to countries in Central and Eastern Europe and the Balkans
In February, 12 countries of Central and Eastern Europe and the Balkans agreed in Washington DC to facilitate purchases of American liquefied natural gas (LNG), with several companies signing memoranda of understanding.
The countries in question are Greece, Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Moldova, Ukraine, Croatia, Lithuania, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Kosovo* wants to revive a gasification plant that was active in the 1970s and 1980s
In her letter to the US Embassy, Rizvanolli recalled that state-run Kosovo Energy Corp. (KEK) operated a gasification plant in the 1970s and early 1980s, similar to the synthetic fuel facility in North Dakota, the Great Plains Synfuels Plant, according to the report.
“We would welcome the opportunity to examine the feasibility of reviving such a facility with US energy support programs, aligning this initiative with previous successful collaborations,” Rizvanoli wrote.
An embassy official has called on Kosovo* to join the US’ regional LNG initiative
The letter was reportedly sent to Anu Prattipati, chargé d’affaires at the US Embassy in Prishtina.
However, Pratipati later publicly called on Kosovo* to enter into a long-term energy partnership with the US through the LNG project, saying it would help secure its energy future, Koha added.
