November 3, 2022 | Thursday
The sun is the main source of energy found on planet earth, and it is estimated that Kosovo has 240 days of sunlight a year. To make use of this enormous potential, and to switch to clean sources of energy, small and medium enterprises in Kosovo, with the help of the EU, have already started to invest in renewable energy sources and reap the benefits.
Forma SHPK is a medium-sized enterprise established in 2013 in the village of Bresalc, in the municipality of Gjilan/Gnjilane. They produce plastic pieces used in transport services, mainly train and tram services, and export them all to Germany. To lower their energy costs and contribute to environmental protection, this year the company invested in solar panels with a loan financed under EBRD’s Kosovo SME Competitiveness Support Programme. Under this programme, Forma SHPK also received free technical assistance from a team of international consultants and a cashback grant, financed by the EU.
Besim Rexhi – manager at the company, says that the company experienced incredible results from the investment. “We have installed 112kWp of solar panels, which are helping us enormously to reduce our energy costs. Previously, we paid around 1200 euros a month for our electricity bill. Now we pay around 200 euros. This means that our energy costs have fallen by around 80%” – says Rexhi.
Further, he encourages businesses in Kosovo to focus on clean sources of energy. “My only regret is that I was not aware previously of the huge benefits of renewable energy. Even though the current panels meet my demands for energy, if I could I would install 100 more solar panels. Going green makes you feel good as an entrepreneur, since apart from lowering your energy costs, at a personal level it gives you pleasure knowing that you are doing the planet a favor by protecting it.” – concludes Rexhi.
Silca Group, is another enterprise that is benefiting from renewable sources of energy. Located in the Mirosale village of the municipality of Ferizaj/Uroševac, their main product is the production and sale of bottled water in Kosovo and the region. This year, with the assistance of the EU, they have installed 200kWp of solar panels.
Dardan Sadriu, general director of the company says that an investment in clean energy is an investment in a healthy and sustainable future. “Taking into consideration the fact that Kosovo has plenty of sun during the year, we have decided to invest in solar energy. This way it helps us reduce our costs in the long term, and contribute to a healthier environment. Thanks to EBRD and the EU, our investment was supported with a 15% grant and also technical assistance to comply with EU directives. We are now more competitive in the market. ” – says Sadriu. For the moment, he estimates that 15-20 percent of the energy used for consumption by the company he runs, is being generated by solar energy.
The European Union in Kosovo will continue supporting and financing Kosovo businesses in the transition phase of shifting from unreliable and harmful energy sources to clean and sustainable ones, such as energy produced by the sun, wind, biomass, water and others.
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