Unclean Energy: The Kosovar Who Would Own the Sun

While the rules in Kosovo stipulate that no single investor can produce more than three megawatts of solar energy, BIRN can reveal that one man - Blerim Devolli - stands behind six companies awarded rights to produce a combined 16.7 MW, more than half of Kosovo's total solar power production.

And each of these companies will receive a guaranteed price from the state - a so-called 'feed-in tariff' -between two and three times higher than the going market rate under a decision by the industry regulator, the Energy Regulatory Office, or ERO.

The ERO told BIRN it does not have the mandate to check the ownership of companies it does business with. On May 12, Devolli's holding company, Devolli Group, rejected the findings of this investigation, which was first aired on April 30 on BIRN's Jeta ne Kosove current affairs programme. Devolli did not respond to several interview requests for this story.

Nevertheless, prosecutors are probing whether to launch a criminal investigation on the basis of BIRN's findings. Critics say that what should have been a story of clean energy and new beginnings has become a familiar tale of dirty dealings.

Corruption warnings ignored

Blerim Devolli. Photo: Kallxo.com

Devolli's business interests do not stop at solar energy.

Via the Devolli Group holding company, the 48-year-old makes money from the sale of beer, fruit juice, dairy products, water and a virtual mobile operator. His brother, Shkelqim, presides over Devolli Corporations, which has interests in shock absorbers, television, customs and coffee. Other businesses are registered under Devolli Holding SH.P.K and Devolli Logistic System ShpK.

Devolli's owns a Range Rover with diplomatic licence plates thanks to his...