Kosovo*

Electricity market reforms were overshadowed by concerns over security of electricity supply. Nevertheless, modest progress in improving market liquidity and competition was achieved. Kosovo*’s track record when it comes to its environmental performance has deteriorated. Infringement cases for lack of environmental impact assessment legislation and breaching emission limits for large combustion plants initiated by the Energy Community Secretariat are ongoing.

Kosovo* is still considering the most efficient way to decarbonize its energy sector. Gas supplies via pipeline are an increasingly unlikely option. In case it is back on the table, supply routes from North Macedonia or from Albania via pipeline could be a possibility. When it comes to advancing on the green agenda, progress hinges on the adoption of the national energy strategy. Kosovo* is in the early stages of transposing the 2021 Clean Energy Package, with the exception of electricity legislation where drafting is yet to begin.

The adoption of the remaining secondary legislation required for implementation of the Energy Efficiency Law remains of the highest priority. This also includes the adoption of the draft plan for implementation of the energy efficiency obligations, draft long-term building renovation strategy and draft plan to boost nearly zero- energy buildings in Kosovo*. Transposition of the labelling delegated regulations should start as soon as possible, possibly with technical assistance.

After adoption of the necessary reporting framework, a monitoring and verification platform (MVP) for energy savings should be put into operation by the Energy Efficiency Agency. The Annual Progress Report on the in implementation of the Energy Efficiency Directive should be finalised.

The Law on Environmental Impact Assessment and the secondary acts concerning the EIA Commission should be adopted. The drafting of secondary legislation to establish the EIA Commission envisaged by the draft EIA Law should start as early as possible. The human and technical capacities of the public authorities must be improved in order to facilitate and streamline the EIA processes. The amendments to the SEA legislation should be sped up in order to secure a proper SEA process for the NECP.

The long-lasting breach of the NERP ceilings has to be addressed by installing the needed emissions abatement techniques. The draft Law on Industrial Emissions needs to be harmonized with the administrative instruction.

Kosovo* should ensure that the quality control of fuels falling under the scope of the Sulphur Directive is done systematically and with sufficient frequency, using the sampling methods required by the Directive.

Kosovo* should amend its nature protection legislation and secure technical and financial assistance for preparing the inventory of wetlands.

The provisions of the Environmental Liability Directive should be transposed into national legislation without delay.