Prior to cogeneration:
The central heating system in Pristina, installed during the 1970s, utilized heavy oil as the combustible raw material for thermal heat generation until the end of 2014.
With a heating capacity of 116 MW through two boilers, and with the price of heavy oil rising significantly during the heating season, as well as with an outdated heating network, POE “Termokos” J.S.C failed to provide sufficient heat to about 11,853 consumers.
Additionally, as a result of the burning of the heavy fuel oil, CO2 was released in the environment, impacting air pollution. Therefore, at the time, “Termokos” was considered one of the biggest polluters in the city of Pristina.
Project donors
Designed decades ago, the implementation of the Cogeneration Project was presented as a necessity of the time. Following research and preliminary studies, and with the commitment of international donors for unconditional investments, the project was formalized with the respective agreements in 2011.
The implementation of the Cogeneration Project was made possible thanks to international donors and local institutions.
The total cost of implementing this project has exceeded 37 million euros:
13,825,000.00 euros from the European Commission;
15 million euros from the German Government, through the German Development Bank (of which 10 million is a grant, while 5 million is a loan);
Over 1.8 million euros from the Swedish Government;
1.5 million euros from the Government of Luxembourg;
3.8 million from the Municipality of Pristina;
1.2 million from the Government of Kosovo.
Project implementation:
The project implementation started on September 26, 2013.
The realization of the Cogeneration Project was enabled through a separate pipeline connected to the turbines of the two blocks of Power Plant “Kosova B”, from which steam is extracted and utilized for water heating and heat generation.
From the heat extraction station of Power Plant “Kosova B”, the heat transmitter pipeline, which is 11 km length, …
… brings warm water to the heat reception station in POE “Termokos” J.S.C……
… and then through the circulating pumps, the heating is conveyed to the heating network for our consumers in the capital city.
In the framework of this project, the following was achieved:
The extension of the heating pipeline, 11 km from PP “Kosova B” to “Termokos”;
Construction of two thermal substations:
– a substation for heat extraction in KEK, and
– a substation for receiving heat in “Termokos”;
Complete rehabilitation of 50 heating system substations;
Replacement of old pipes with new pre-insulated pipes, totaling 11,500 m in the primary network in the city.
Installation of a remote monitoring and control system (SCADA).
Repair of circulating pumps and the frequency control system.
After the implementation of cogeneration – advantages and results:
Only one year after the start of the works for this capital project, POE “Termokos” J.S.C successfully began supplying heat through the cogeneration system in the 2014/2015 heating season.
The implementation of this project, aimed at improving the central heating system for the residents of Pristina, resulted first of all in an increase in capacity to 140 MW. This brought many advantages, such as:
Ensuring sufficient and quality heating throughout the entire heating season.
Reduction of operational expenses.
A more ecological environment for the people of Pristina.
Significant reduction in electricity consumption (in areas where the Enterprise provides heating).
Creating opportunity for network expansion and new connections.
Ensuring financial stability for the Enterprise.
Opening the way for the realization of many other projects.
The development of the Enterprise and the supply of heat to consumers took on a completely different dynamic from November 27, 2014, when nearly 12,000 (twelve thousand) consumers enjoyed, for the first time, the supply of quality and sufficient heat through the cogeneration system. Since then, uninterrupted heating has been provided to all consumers of the Enterprise throughout the heating season.
As a result, the achievements of the enterprise were numerous. In less than a decade, the number of consumers increased significantly from about 12,000 to over 20,000.
The primary network in the capital city expanded from 70 km to 105 km, the number of substations increased from 325 to 825.
The successful implementation of the cogeneration project paved the way for other projects, such as the expansion and rehabilitation of the heating network, the installation of heat meters, the solar project, and the doubling of thermal capacities, etc.