First Forum on National Dialogue on Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Today, Balkan Green Foundation (BGF) successfully hosted the first Forum on National Dialogue on Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. The event gathered a diverse group of representatives and speakers from the German Embassy in Prishtina, GIZ, Kosovo Fund for Energy Efficiency (KFEE), Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure, various civil society organizations, and the business community.

Fjolla Qorri from BGF presented the recommendations from the draft report titled "Upscaling Energy Efficiency in Kosovo." The report provides an in-depth analysis of the current state of energy efficiency in Kosovo, highlighting the government's initiatives, the challenges faced, and the opportunities for aligning with the Energy Community and EU targets for 2030 and 2050. It emphasizes the urgent need for cross-sectorial cohesion including education, with strategic interventions to enhance sustainability, reduce economic and environmental impacts, and align with international energy efficiency standards.

Matthias Conrad, Deputy Head of Mission of the German Embassy in Kosovo, discussed the significance of the energy transition in Western Balkan countries. He elaborated on the German Government's investment plans and the Regional Climate Partnership's role in implementing the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans, aiming to support energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in the region.

Driton Hetemi, Director of the Kosovo Fund for Energy Efficiency, presented key data showcasing significant advancements in energy efficiency measures across Kosovo. He highlighted that the KEEF has successfully implemented energy efficiency projects in over 200 public buildings, leading to substantial energy savings and improved indoor conditions. These projects have collectively saved over 10,000 MWh of energy annually and reduced CO2 emissions by approximately 7,000 tons per year. Additionally, the KEEF initiatives in the private sector have resulted in energy savings equivalent to the annual consumption of 2,000 households.

Avni Sfishta from GIZ spoke about the importance of energy efficiency programs in buildings. He highlighted Kosovo's unique mechanism for energy efficiency and emphasized the need for legislation mandating energy efficiency labels on equipment.

The forum included a vibrant debate with contributions from representatives of the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure, civil society, and the business community. The Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure emphasized the challenges during the implementation of efficient measures through calls for subsidies, highlighting their results and impact on the energy system in our country. The discussions focused on the development of energy efficiency initiatives, the challenges and opportunities that these efforts present, and their impact on Kosovo's economic development and job creation.

At the conclusion of the forum, participants agreed on the necessity of holding such dialogues more frequently. These forums provide a platform for representatives from Kosovo institutions, international organizations, businesses, and civil society to gather, exchange information, and share ideas.

The forum was organized within the framework of the project "Energy Transition and Decarbonization in the Western Balkans" with the support of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Development (BMZ).

Based on the inputs from the Forum, BGF will supplement the draft analysis and publish the final version in the coming days.