Kosovo has become the first country in the Western Balkans to establish an energy efficiency fund.
The Energy Efficiency Fund was launched by the Ministry of Economic Development, with the support of the World Bank and the European Union. This fund was established following the passing of the Energy Efficiency Law in November 2018. The Government of Kosovo has allocated €1 million for the fund, while the World Bank and the EU have pledged €10 million.
Nataliya Apostolova, the Head of the EU Office in Kosovo, stated at today’s conference that Kosovo still faces challenges such as sustainable energy supply. She emphasized that energy efficiency is the only sustainable alternative that enhances energy supply security and sustainability, generates job opportunities, and improves the environment.
“It is critical that reforms in the energy sector in Kosovo proceed in line with the Energy Community Treaty and the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA), with a view to gradual integration into Europe’s energy markets. Energy efficiency has always been and will remain at the center of the EU’s focus in Kosovo. In the past, the EU has allocated over €19 million for the implementation of energy efficiency measures in public buildings. We expect that the Fund will be staffed with a professional team in the next 2 months so it can start implementing energy efficiency projects in public buildings. It is very important that schools, kindergartens, and healthcare centers benefit from the Fund across Kosovo,” Apostolova said.
Marco Mantovanelli, the World Bank Country Manager for Kosovo, has stated that Kosovo is a leader in terms of energy efficiency in the Balkans. He also mentioned that investments from the EU and the World Bank have primarily focused on improving energy efficiency in public buildings, with plans to expand into the private sector in the future.
