Short description of the overall project

The overall objective of the project is the protection of the environment, climate and sustainability through the decommissioning of three facilities in the compound of Thermal Power Plant/TPP Kosovo A that are no longer in operation and safe storing of the resulting hazardous waste material in compliance with the relevant EU acquis and best practices.

Those no longer operational facilities (briefly described below) represent an environmental risk due to the hazardous chemicals present in materials remaining in equipment/pipes located in the premises.

1. The gasification plant is a separate site with a surface of 33 ha and it is a part of a large industrial complex operated by the Kosovo Energy Corporation JSC. It is located within the municipality of Obiliq/Obilić, approximately 10 km westwards from the city of Pristina. In the past, the gasification and fertilizer plant (a separate plant) were also sources of pollution but these were permanently closed down in 1988/89.
2. The nitrogen fertilizer plant has a surface of approx. 69 ha, produced 70,683 tons of fertilizer and was shut down in 1988. There is a possibility for existing residues of the plant materials and asbestos used in the facility. In addition, this plant has used in the past the Polychlorinated Biphenyls/PCB for chemical synthesis.
3. The heat plant was used to produce a technological steam. The steam production capacity of the plant was approx. 1 million tonnes/year. The heat plant has three boilers to be dismantled, all in a very poor condition with significant technical problems. Boilers K(1) and K(2) have been out of operation for 20 years, boiler K(3) is out of operation since 2005. The heat plant has two installed turbines with a capacity of 16 MWh (not operational for over 20 years) and 25 MWh (not operational since 2005). All turbines are facing technical problems due to the lack of maintenance and are not in a condition to continue operations in compliance with technical and environment standards. The main expected hazardous waste in the demolition process is asbestos and old mineral fibre.

This Project will be implemented through a direct management (works and service contracts) through co-financing between the EU and Kosovo.

The contract for services to prepare the tender dossier for the decommissioning works is ongoing. The tender dossier for works will be ready mid 2020. The works will be implemented during 2021-2022.

There is a pre-condition for the government to find location for the storage of dismantled facilities.

Short description of activities financed by the donation

The scope of the project (TA and the works) includes the following activities and works but is not limited to:

• Preparatory activities:

1. Completion of the Tender Dossier including the design, technical specification, a detailed Bill of Quantity.
2. Supervision services for the decommissioning works.

• Decommissioning activities, in general:

1. Execution of the decommissioning works by using the relevant technologies and professional teams necessary for an appropriate and safe dismantling of such industrial facilities and remediation of the site through a design and build works contract/s;
2. Identification, separation and transport of waste and their storage, according to relevant standards for the types of waste;
3. Treatment of terrain from hazardous substances identified in the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment study, according to environmental laws and standards;
4. Organising of transport and storage of the waste (hazardous and other) to the dedicated storage place by taking all necessary security measures for their transportation and storage.