Kosovo is entering its highest-demand months with the 260 MW B1 unit at Kosovo B unavailable while turbine modernisation and environmental works remain unfinished. The operator has not provided a firm return date, leaving one of the country’s largest generating blocks out of service as electricity consumption rises.
An energy expert expects B1 to remain unavailable through the winter. Kosovo A has completed planned overhauls and had a stronger period of simultaneous unit operation, but Kosovo’s thermal fleet is ageing and the operator acknowledges that technical faults and temporary interruptions cannot be ruled out.
The outage raises Kosovo’s requirement for electricity imports and its exposure to regional scarcity and interconnector availability. Market commentary cited Hungarian wholesale power at around €250/MWh, while Kosovo imported more than €1.03 billion of electricity over the past five years.
The government allocated €1 million to the Kosovo Energy Efficiency Fund. Separately, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is providing up to €21 million to TEB Kosovo across green, digital and inclusive-finance lines.
Those programmes will not replace B1 this winter. Reducing peak demand and improving building efficiency can, however, lower future import exposure, according to the facts of the programmes.
B1’s return timing, regional day-ahead prices, cross-border capacity and unplanned outages at Kosovo A remain key variables for Kosovo’s winter electricity outlook.
