Lignite reserves in Kosovo

Only recently with the problematic issue of the investment of the World Bank and the U.S.A's in Kosovo's electricity sector, a need for further scientific research rose. A recent research conducted by EU Pillar (PISG - Energy Office) states:

"The Kosovo lignite mines are operated at one of the most favorable lignite deposits in Europe due to its geological conditions. With an average stripping ratio of 1.7 m3 of waste to 1 ton of coal, coal production at Kosovo mines could supply very competitive fuel to the power plants, compared to international fuel sources and energy prices. The total estimated economically exploited resources of approx. 10,000 Mt represent one of the richest lignite sources in Europe, which would allow ambitious power generation and expansion schemes in the fourth coming decades."[1]

The current lignite basins are:

1.       Kosova lignite basin

2.       Dukagjini lignite basin

3.       Smaller lignite basins like Drenica, Malishevë, Babush i Muhaxherëve.

4.       Potential lignite basin in southern part of Kosovo[2]

Currently, only Kosova basin is being exploited in two open cast mines Bardh and Mirash. Operations are performed by private company KEDS.

KOSOVO'S ENERGY SECTOR RELIANCE ON COAL-FIRED POWER PLANTS

Investment in lignite sector in Kosovo has been a recent issue as projects of companies "Envidity", "Sharrcem" and "Titan America". The project aims to further exploit the brown coal reserves through a privatization of the current mines in "Kosovo basin" that would result in improvement of the conditions of the mine and implementation of newer technologies of extraction. Though as stated before Kosovo has the richest exploitable lignite sources in Europe, current coal-fired power plants are forced to import the source from Malaysia and Indonesia[3] .  The topic is highly important because of the immense environmental implications that coal-fired power plants had in the communities that I had interacted with. The topic merges together problematic issue such as corruption, environmental racism, and energy demands. A further investigation is needed to conclude whether the resource should be exploited in order to contribute to the development of the new country (and if that is the case, should there be a nationalization of the power plants for lower prices) or should there be alternative ways for the electricity sector of Kosovo. The recognition and membership of Kosovo in international organizations would put the country on the map and involve it with the current international agreements that are being made. The exclusiveness of Kosovo in these discussions directly put Kosovo on its own to undertake decision on the energy sector that most of the times do not go with the norms that the whole world is trying to set (such as the objectives of the Paris agreement).