Kosovo confident in winter 24-25 supply: TSO

Kosovar transmission system operator (TSO) Kostt is confident it can meet demand over the winter season through domestic generation and imports, Kostt told Argus in an interview ahead of the Energy Week Western Balkans conference.

Domestic generation capacity is not enough to meet demand during periods of high consumption, such as during the winter season, and imports will be necessary during peak tariff periods to meet demand, the TSO said.

Maximum demand over the upcoming winter season is expected to reach 1.45GW, and transmission capacity can reach 1.85GW under normal operating conditions, Kostt said.

Kosovar distribution company Keds and energy supplier Kesko had to import up to 35pc of power during peak periods in December last year, when peak demand reached 1.1GW. Annual maintenance at the 680MW Kosova B lignite-fired plant was completed on 18 August, and the plant is scheduled to be fully available over the winter season.

Constraints on the electric system should be reduced in the upcoming winter season, as Keds has started metering the four Serbian-majority municipalities located in the country's north in January.

Kostt was responsible for supply in the region last year, but received payment through subsidies from the Kosovar government, rather than tariffs. But subsidies were sometimes delayed, which created challenges in balancing real-time deviations within Kostt's control area, the TSO said.

An agreement was reached last year with Serbian state-owned utility EPS subsidiary Elektrosever to normalise power supply for the Serbian majority municipalities, which were not paying for the unauthorised withdrawal of electricity. Elektrosever is now responsible for supply in the region and submits daily nominations and adheres to balancing requirements, although Kostt still meets its financial requirement to cover losses in the transmission system. There have been no violations of the operational terms since the agreement went into effect on 1 January, Kostt said.

"System operations have become more stable, and deviations are now within the Entso-e acceptable limits," Kostt said. And Elektrosever has agreed to Kostt's request to submit an electricity supply plan for the region for 2025.

By Annemarie Pettinato