Kosovo To Import Up to 190 MW Electricity until End-March 2009

KEK has contracted four companies to supply the required volume, the company said in a statement.

Czech-based Ezpada will supply 30 MW in October at a price of 129.5 euro ($176.7) per MW. Swiss EGL will deliver between 10 MW and 30 MW at 119.7 euro per MW by the end of February; Serbia’s Rudnap – between 30 MW and 60 MW, and Swiss EFT – between 40 MW and 100 MW, both companies by the end of March, the statement said.

The energy imports will help Kosovo shorthen its daily power cuts. KEK increased the power cuts up to 16 hours a day due to lack of imports earlier this week. Since 2005 KEK is rationing electricity supplies by dividing customers into three categories based on their bill payments, also aiming to reduce the number of people tapping the network illegally.

Kosovo has the world's fifth-largest proven coal reserves, estimated at 12 billion metric tonnes, but it continues to suffer daily power cuts due to its outdated power generation facilities and lack of funds for coal extraction

Kosovo declared its secession from Serbia in February. Fifty countries have recognised Kosovo as an independent state since.

($=0.7329 euro)