UNMIK/PR/842
Friday, 11 October 2002

Fifth Meeting of Energy Committee

PRISTINA – The Energy Committee met for the fifth time today at 1500hrs in the UNMIK HQ.

The SRSG Michael Steiner chaired the meeting. Prime Minister Dr. Bajram Rexhepi, DCOMKFOR Major General Perruche, Josef Rieder the Interim Head of KEK and Pillar 4 Head Andy Bearpark attended.

Mr. Rieder reported on the status of restructuring and on the current situation in KEK. In regard to the state of the repairs he told the Committee that although there were still some problems with the A Stations the overall rehabilitation program was still generally on track. However, he stressed the fragility of the system emphasising that the system would remain vulnerable as the reliability of the A plants was so unpredictable.

The Committee also heard a report on the new “Get tough” Disconnection Policy. Big institutional non-payers had already been issued disconnection orders some ten days ago. As a consequence a number of outstanding bills are now being paid, but others still are not. Those that have not paid will be disconnected from tomorrow onwards.

Many millions of Euros remain owed to KEK in outstanding bills. Private individuals who have not paid will now start to receive formal warnings that they must pay or they will be cut off, too.

The Committee also discussed the essential need to save energy. Mr. Steiner was disappointed to hear that the consumption for September, although recognising the unseasonably cold weather, had been significantly higher than was normal for the month. Some 534 Mega Watts had been consumed on 30 September when peak demand would normally have been approximately 380 Mega Watts. This only served to highlight the need for people to take energy savings measures much more seriously.

SRSG Michael Steiner said: “Electric heaters and electric water boilers are the main energy wasters in Kosovo homes.”

The Prime Minister Dr. Rexhepi said. “ People must be much more careful about how they heat their water and their houses if we are to save sufficient energy to reduce demand sufficent to make a difference.”