Kosova C Power Plant Project Goes to Public Debate

Luan Ibraj

27 June 2008

The project to build Kosova C thermoelectric power plant will not proceed without prior public debate, involving in particular the population of the area that will be the most exposed to the pollution it will emit.

The Ministry of Energy and Mining (MEM) has published the Strategic Environment and Social Evaluation document, aiming the collect the environmental remarks and suggestions for its plan to build the new power plant and open the coalmine at Sibovc.

- The Government has agreed that the project, in order to be implemented, has to take into account all environmental and social aspects. The first phase of the study has covered 1,580 households. The project offer several possible locations for the Kosova C TPP, and plans to use the latest technology in terms of its effect on the environment, capacity buildings and the environmental aspect, including the most advanced technology�, Minister Justina Pula told the media.

Pula adds that Kosovo is developing principles of good governance, transparency and adherence to international environmental and social standards, while the process is fully in line with the European Commission guidelines on preparation of strategic environmental assessment studies, as well as the World Bank protective procedures and policies.

Mahir Yagcilar, Minister of Environment and Spatial Planning, said that objectives of this draft document are to be finalized with European environmental standards as well as inclusion of the entire society in the debate.

Representative of World Bank in Kosovo, Ranjit Nayak, comments that Kosova C raises numerous environmental issues which have to be addressed, having in mind the importance of the environment in economic and social development.

- We are here to support the government, in order for the government to take decisions about energy, for Kosovo to have sufficient energy. Kosovo should comply to European environmental standards. This is the first draft that determines the debate, in which civil society and citizens will have the possibility to get involved, said Nayak.