Scientific Conference ’Energy Resources in Kosovo and Metohija’

A two-day scientific conference ’Energy Resources in Kosovo and Metohija’ is to open at the SASA Grand Hall, on Monday, 17 January, at 10 a.m. It is a part of a series of scientific conferences dedicated to the renewal and expansion of knowledge necessary to expertly consider and decide on the direction of the Serbian energy industry. Serbian electro-industry currently does not have control over energy facilities and resources in the territory of the southern province. It is difficult to estimate when the corresponding ownership and management rights over power plants, mines, water facilities and other resources will be re-established. However, there is a need to pinpoint certain circumstances, data and findings and reconsider important legal and economic issues. It is necessary to refresh the memory on the issues of ownership and highlight the need for coordinated planning and development of Serbian resources in Kosovo and Metohija, as well as the resources in other parts of Serbia. The impact of energy resources exploitation in Kosovo, which is out of the Republic of Serbia’s control, on the environment and quality of air and water in the territory of Serbia should be examined. Along with the risk assessment, the possibilities for timely reaction and the prevention of unwanted consequences should be revised.

According to the available data, approximately 79% of Serbian reserves of primary coal energy is located in the territory of Kosovo and Metohija. In addition to the reserves, there are significant Serbian thermal electric power plants and electrical grid in the southern province. Until 2020, the electrical grid was in the control region of ​​Serbia. Since April 2020 and approved by the European ENTSO, the electrical grid in Kosovo and Metohija has been in the control region at the transmission system operator of the Republic of Albania. The energy potential of our coal reserves in Kosovo and Metohija has kindled the interest of European countries, which in the early 1980s considered the possibility of usage of primary energy reserves in Kosovo and Metohija to get the power of 5000 MW, which was to be transferred over high voltage direct current power lines. During the 1980s, the concept of TEPP Kosovo C with a capacity of 2100 MW (7×300 or 6×350 MW) was developed for the specific needs of the power companies of the SFRY, and the choice of an appropriate location from the point of view of water supply for recirculation cooling system was considered in details. Possible oil fields, as well as confirmed copious deposits of nickel, magnesite, zinc, lead, bauxite and other ores, are also significant to the energy industry.

The organizers of the conference have observed the need to make an overview of energy and other resources in the territory of the southern Serbian province. It is fundamental to draw attention, remind and warn of vital facts, circumstances and consequences of current and future processes and decisions. Reasoning, reflection and deliberation should be based on facts, profession and science, which has created the need to organize a conference on energy resources in Kosovo and Metohija.

Lectures, discussions and participants’ papers will be published in a collection of papers.

Live broadcast of the conference is available at the official SASA website: (https://www.sanu.ac.rs/direktan-prenos/ ).