World Bank approved EUR 22 million for Ibar Lepenica canal

Kosovo Water Security and Canal Protection Project, credited by the World Bank with EUR 22 million as per approval of the Board of Executive Directors  dated September 30, aims to restore main Ibar Lepenica Canal to its original capacity and to improve water quality in the Kosovo region.

This project should improve life quality for 500,000 people living in canal basin. This highly populated commercial and administrative center, including the city of Pristina, depends almost entirely on this canal to meet its water needs.

The canal is a multipurpose water conveyance system supplying water for energy production, mining, industrial, agricultural, and household uses.

Built in the Yugoslavia, in 1970s, Ibar Lepenica Canal and its infrastructure has been deteriorating over the years. Physical damage and pollution reduced the water flow capacity and a water quality. Therefore, projects has two goals: to improve structure and safety of the canal and Gazivode dam, and to implement water protection and management to improve water quality.

The first goal includes works around Gazivode dam, and a construction of a water reservoir in Mihaljica to provide cutting the canal flow when needed, but also to provide balancing water demand and supply over the 2035 horizon.

Six-year-project (2016-2022) will be implemented by the Hydro Economic Iber-Lepenic Joint Stock Company. The entire project will be financed on concessional terms by a credit from the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank Group. Credit is approved for 25 years of pay-off, including 5 years of grace period, World Bank announced on its website.