Warmer winter, lower bills: 100 families in Skënderaj benefit from EU investment

Warmer, cheaper, more comfortable. This is how 100 families in social housing in Skënderaj can wait out the winter.

"Even before winter came, we found out it was warmer.. “Every now and then, when it gets colder, we find it hotter. Even in the summer, it’s cooler, they’ve set the climate inside for us,” says Bajram Shatri, a from 100 heads of households and three social housing buildings, in which energy efficiency works were inaugurated on Tuesday.

This investment of 700,000 euros was made within the framework of the Energy Support Package financed by the European Union, implemented by the Kosovo Energy Efficiency Fund (KEEF). The investment included insulation, new windows and doors, heating and ventilation systems, lighting and renovation of common areas. This investment is seen as a step towards the green transition, significantly reducing electricity consumption.

“I am extremely proud, not only of this project, but also of all the actions that were foreseen within the framework of the energy support package. It was a big challenge, from the beginning, because the European Union decided at the end of 2023, actually at the beginning of 2023, to provide 75 million euros to Kosovo to address the energy crisis. So, basically we cooperated with the government, of course, and with the Energy Efficiency Fund, to identify specific actions and then to implement them. So it was quite a big challenge, but I am absolutely proud of the result so far. I mean, many families, many vulnerable families were helped, like in these cases when we offered them energy-efficient housing,” says EU Office representative Alessandro Bianciardi.

During the inauguration ceremony, attended by representatives of the EU Office, the Government of Kosovo, the municipality and the Energy Efficiency Fund, it was said that with such investments the benefits are multifaceted.

“These are extremely important investments, which go far beyond the infrastructure that is being made and energy saving, which is in these buildings 75-85 percent less energy will be consumed, but much more than that, this means better conditions for residents, healthier for them, for their children, their families and it means a more dignified life, but also safer, given that in addition to the investments that have been made here in the entrance to the floor, in the insulation of the roof, in the replacement of windows and doors, the insulation of the building, an intercom system has also been installed that allows for higher security. I am very happy that after three years since we started designing this package together, it was the Government’s request to the EU, to which the European Union reacted positively and very quickly, I am happy that we are seeing its results,” said the Acting Minister of Economy, Artane Rizvanolli.

EU representative Biancardi says the focus of the energy support package was to help families and businesses cope with the impact of the energy crisis.

“But also to improve energy affordability and support the most vulnerable families. Energy efficiency measures are a very effective way to help and protect consumers in need,” Bianciardi declared.

Fadil Nura, the mayor of Skenderaj, thanked the partners for this investment.

“A co-financing and co-coordination that is providing the first inputs here in Skenderaj has two main elements in the case of this project: the first will affect the reduction of electricity costs, and at the same time we have invested in a part of the community that has been in need. I am extremely pleased that we are the first municipality to implement and finalize such an important project,” said Nura.

Driton Hetemi from the Energy Efficiency Fund expects the project to expand.

“Our expectations are that this project will continue and multiply as much as possible throughout the sector with the help of our partners,” he said.

How was it possible, with this investment, for these buildings to have energy savings of 85 percent?

“Considering that they had no thermal insulation, extremely weak windows, they bolted the windows, there was an enormous temperature fluctuation, comparing it to the quality that is now installed in their apartments, that saving was achieved,” says Kreshnik Muhaxheri, manager at the Energy Efficiency Fund.

The renovation of such buildings is part of a wider program at the national level, which includes 28 social buildings at a total value of 6 million euros. These investments are being implemented with 90 percent financial support from the EU and 10 percent co-financing from municipalities. 

The EU says it remains committed to supporting Kosovo’s decarbonization and energy transition.