PROJECT TITLE:

Support to the decommissioning process of Kosovo A Thermal Power Plant, Re-launch

OVERALL OBJECTIVE:

The overall objective of the project is to prepare the design and tender documents for dismantling of 3 facilities of Kosovo A PP (lignite gasification plant, fertilizer production plant and heating plant) in compliance with the relevant EU acquis and best practices.

LOCATION:

Kosovo

SECTOR:

Energy

DURATION:

65 months

VALUE:

1,645,985.00

IMPLEMENTING AGENCY:

SWECO GMBH

BENEFICIARIES:

Ministry of Environment Spatial Planning and Infrastructure, KEK

PURPOSE OF THE CONTRACT:

The purpose of this contract were as follows: • To support the decommissioning process of three facilities at TPP Kosovo A (the gasification plant, heating plant, and fertilizer plant, along with all associated infrastructure) and to identify the necessary remediation works for soil and water rehabilitation at the site. • To assist in the development of physical infrastructure for the temporary storage of hazardous waste from Kosovo A and other sources, ensuring compliance with relevant EU acquis and best practices. The original project design included following activities: • Reviewing the existing legal framework and drafting proposals for legal amendments to align national legislation with EU acquis in relation to decommissioning activities. • Capacity building for beneficiaries, including support for Working Groups and the KEK Project Implementation Unit (PIU). • Preparing the necessary documentation for obtaining the decommissioning permit and conducting the related Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA). • Developing a detailed inventory of facilities to be decommissioned, identifying all waste types generated, preparing a hazardous waste inventory and waste management plan, and organizing waste transport to the designated storage site. • Preparing a comprehensive work plan for dismantling the facilities. • Assessing and characterizing the geological, hydrogeological, geotechnical, and environmental conditions at the site to support the design of remediation works. • Developing a detailed work plan for site remediation and rehabilitation. • Preparing the detailed design and tender dossier for the dismantling and remediation works. Following the successful completion of all above listed activities, the EU Office decided to extend the existing contract to support the Government of Kosovo in meeting the necessary conditions to apply for EU financial assistance for the construction of a much-needed hazardous waste storage facility, which is a precondition for the dismantling of the buildings no longer in use within Kosovo A. Second phase of the contract As part of the original contract (Task 9), the preparation of a preliminary design for a temporary hazardous waste storage facility was included. This task was successfully completed by the contractor. However, further project implementation was halted when the municipal administration of Fushë Kosova denied permission to use the government-approved site near the village of Harilaq, which falls under its administrative jurisdiction. In June 2022, the Government of Kosovo, in agreement with KEK and the Municipality of Obiliq, identified a new location for the hazardous waste storage facility. To support the Government of Kosovo, the EU Office expanded the existing contract to include additional services, such as developing the facility's design, preparing the Environmental Consent application, and compiling a comprehensive tender document package in accordance with EU PRAG guidelines for the facility's construction. Before commencing design activities for the hazardous waste storage facility, a concept for temporary hazardous waste disposal was prepared under Task 2. This concept adheres to EU, international, and Kosovo legislation regarding safety and security standards, including the types of waste to be managed at the Kosovo A compound. Based on Task 2's findings, the two locations proposed by the Ministry of Environment within KEK’s Kosovo A compound were evaluated in Task 3—the Option Analysis and Initial Environmental and Social Examination. Site Selection and Design Options The key justification for developing Option 1 for the hazardous waste storage (HWS) facility is the potential reuse of an existing, architecturally unique storage structure known as the "Hangar." This massive building, measuring 234 meters in length, 20 meters in height, and 43.4 meters in width, features a parabolic roof and has the potential to become a notable landmark on the outskirts of Obiliq. Option 2 proposes constructing an entirely new hazardous waste storage facility consisting of ten storage buildings, each approximately 42m x 42m, located north of the Hangar. To ensure a fair comparison with the existing Hangar, a simplified model was used to estimate storage capacity. Assuming standard container dimensions of 1.5m x 1.5m x 1.5m, both options were designed to accommodate approximately 11,800 storage cubicles. A review of the legal and institutional framework, detailed in the GAP analysis, indicates that the EU Seveso III Directive does not prescribe specific distances from inhabited areas or sensitive environments. Instead, member states are required to develop expert guidelines tailored to each type of hazardous waste. While EU countries have established such guidelines, the Government of Kosovo has yet to develop its own. The proposed site within the KEK compound presents two possibilities: • Rehabilitation and adaptation of the existing Hangar • Construction of a new facility within the KEK compound An initial assessment determined that adapting the existing Hangar is not feasible due to its deteriorating structural condition and age. EU Support and Next Steps The EU Office in Kosovo remains open to review the Government of Kosovo’s request for financial support to construct the hazardous waste storage facility under its existing assistance programs. To secure EU funding, the project must meet specific maturity criteria, including the completion of the facility’s design and a positive Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA). To help the Government of Kosovo fulfil these requirements, the EU Office incorporated additional services into the existing contract, allowing for the preparation of the facility’s design and ESIA for the newly designated site. Notably, the construction of this facility is a prerequisite for decommissioning obsolete infrastructure within the KEK compound at Kosovo. Project Achievements during the second phase As part of the extended contract, the project successfully completed: • Preliminary designs for two potential locations within the Kosovo A power plant compound • ESIA reports for both proposed locations These deliverables have been submitted to the Government of Kosovo, providing the necessary documentation for an EU assistance application.