UNMIK/PR/812
Wednesday 4 September 2002

SRSG Steiner appoints Interim KEK Director

Following the third meeting of the Energy Committee, SRSG Michael Steiner announced the appointment of Josef Reider as Interim Head of the Kosovo Electric Company (KEK) to oversee the Kosovo power system through the winter.

The appointment follows UNMIK's investigation into the fire which in July wreaked havoc on Kosovo's major electrical power plant. Although police determined lightning had caused the fire, mismanagement and neglect were blamed for the extensiveness of the damage.

Rieder comes to Kosovo with nearly 40 years experience in the field of electrical energy, having the latter part of his career with EON, one of Germany and Europe's largest energy companies.

He is also an expert in the management of lignite-based power stations, similar to the power production system in Kosovo.

During his press briefing today, SRSG Michael Steiner also outlined the pace of repairs to the plants as well as the projected schedule of load-shedding. By a combination of repairs to the functioning plant "A" and imported electricity, Kosovo should remain on a "3 hour on; 3 hour off" schedule for the near term, with this regime improving as money comes in for more imports, he said. One of the damaged plant's two units should be restored by early December.

Imports needed to the end of 2002 are projected to cost some 1 million euros a week, or just under 20 million euros. Mr. Steiner stressed that all users of electricity must pay bills or face disconnections. Thousands of consumers of electricity in Kosovo are said to use illegal connections: they will not only be disconnected but will face bills for their past unpaid use of electricity, he added, explaining the Energy Committee's 'comprehensive disconnection policy.' Individual consumers, businesses, UNMIK and the Government will all have to pay for power.

"If you use it and don't pay for it, you are stealing it," the SRSG said.

SRSG Michael Steiner added that the provisional government would also be conducting a 'thorough and comprehensive energy savings plan' through the local media.

"Together we will overcome this difficult but manageable situation," he concluded.