environments Article Analysis of the Potential for Renewable Utilization in Kosovo Power Sector Shpetim Lajqi 1 , Bojan Ðurin 2,*, Xhevat Berisha 1 and Lucija Plantak 3 1 Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Prishtina “Hasan Prishtina”, 10000 Prishtina, Kosovo;
[email protected] (S.L.);
[email protected] (X.B.) 2 Department of Civil Engineering, University North, Jurja Križani´ca31b, 42000 Varaždin, Croatia 3 Faculty of Geotechnical Engineering, University of Zagreb, Hallerova aleja 7, 42000 Varaždin, Croatia;
[email protected] * Correspondence:
[email protected] Received: 7 May 2020; Accepted: 21 June 2020; Published: 24 June 2020 Abstract: The reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and the decarbonization of the power sector through the utilization of available renewable technologies are challenging issues that Kosovo has to tackle right now, in order to fight the high pollution caused by a coal-based power system. Around 91.43% of installed capacities for electricity generation in Kosovo are based on coal-fired power plants. The aim of this paper is to show the potential for renewable utilization, using data measurements of wind, solar irradiation, biomass, and average water flows at different area locations to identify their utilization potential. Furthermore, a review on the currently available and future renewable energy projects integrated into the electricity sector is presented. A 54% carbon dioxide emission reduction potential was estimated in the power sector when considering maximum utilization potential of biomass, wind, solar renewable energies compared to a referent scenario. The results obtained from this review have shown the pathways for identifying the potential utilization of renewable as well as the actual and planned use of renewable implemented projects into the Kosovo Power Sector.