Under the organization of the Ministry of Energy and Mining (MEM), LPTA Project Office and Ibër-Lepenci, today MEM hosted a meeting on the topic “Sustainable water supply for the energy sector”.
All institutions involved in this area were invited to attend the meeting, including the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning, Water and Waste Regulator’s Office, and other organizations and active donors in Kosovo such as World Bank, European Commission, USAID, KfW, etc.
The water demand for the energy sector was presented in the meeting, including project-proposals of the Ibër-Lepenci company for increasing water capacities and security of supply.
Minister of Energy and Mining, Justina Shiroka – Pula, in her opening speech said that MEM is interested in addressing the water supply issue with all actors operating in this area, particularly in the aspect of supplying the energy sector.
Ibër-Lepenci Director, Avdullah Nishori, presented the supply capacities of his company and their growth plans. He said that the company he chairs is sustainable because it is a supplier of industrial water to the energy sector and agriculture. Nishori presented the project-proposal for the undeveloped part of Lepenci, which includes the construction of two new ponds in Shtime and Firajë, which, according to him, will provide sustainable water supply for the energy sector, but also the increasingly higher demand of other sectors.
This project will increase the water security of supply, as the number of alternative sources would be higher.
Michael L. Boyd, USAID Advisor, expressed his readiness to be involved and provide his assistance in this issue. He said that USAID has several projects for the water supply in the local level. Boyd said that Kosovo needs a more efficient management of current water capacities.
The following conclusions derived from the meeting:
• Current water capacities of the Ibër channel are sufficient for water supply for the “New Kosova” Power-Plant, but there is a need to rehabilitate the current Ibër system and the construction of a (15 day) reserve basin which would guarantee continuous water supply.
• There is a need for a comprehensive water strategy and it has to be done from responsible sectorial institutions, and
• The realization of the Lepenci project-proposal is endorsed. The project initially requires an update to the feasibility study, which dates from the 80ies, in cooperation with foreign experts.
World Bank and European Commission have earlier expressed their readiness to support these activities for the realization of these projects.
