The Board of the Energy Regulatory Office of Kosovo (ERO) approved the requests of three energy operators for maximum allowed revenues on Friday, announcing that the price of electricity has increased by about 16 percent.
During the meeting held on April 11, the ERO Board did not indicate how much the electricity price would increase, but Radio Free Europe learned from its sources that the increase would be around 16 percent.
Meanwhile, a few hours after ERO's decision, a number of citizens protested in Zahir Pajaziti Square in the center and near the regulator's office in Pejton, writes A2.
The System, Transmission and Market Operator [KOSTT], the Kosovo Electricity Distribution Company [KEDS] and the Kosovo Electricity Supply Company [KESCO] requested an increase in electricity tariffs due to the import of electricity.
The ERO board approved their requests at its meeting on Friday.
Earlier, ERO announced that the new tariffs would come into effect on May 1.
The energy regulator last month proposed increasing the price of electricity in the country by about 15 percent, arguing that the increase in tariffs this year is necessary due to the decrease in energy production, increased consumption and heavy dependence on high-priced imports.
The request for an increase in the price of electricity was opposed by the Presidency and by citizens who protested last week.
The incumbent government called on ERO not to increase the price of electricity for consumers who consume less than 800 kilowatts per month.
The current electricity price for consumers who consume up to 800 kilowatts within a month is 7.79 cents per kilowatt, while for those who consume more than 800 kilowatts, the portion above this is calculated at a price of 14.45 cents.
From 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM, the price per kilowatt is 3.34 cents for those who spend up to 800 kilowatts and 6.81 cents for those who spend more.
ERO conducts the annual review and setting of electricity tariffs, which are announced each year on April 1 and are valid until March 31 of the following year.
Kosovo cannot provide the necessary energy for its over 1.6 million inhabitants with production from the Kosovo Energy Corporation (KEK) alone.
One of the reasons is the decades-old age of the "Kosova A" and "Kosova B" power plants.
There is also production through renewable sources, but in smaller quantities.
Business representatives have previously told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that the eventual increase in electricity prices would increase businesses' operating costs. This would then force businesses to increase the price of their products and services, making them less competitive in the market.
Kosovo, in recent years, has faced continuous increases in the prices of products and services.
The escalation began during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and accelerated after Russia began its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Last year, ERO reduced the price for commercial and industrial customers by 3 percent.
But, a year earlier, in 2023, tariffs increased by 15 percent for all categories of consumers./ REL (A2 Televizion)
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