Prishtina, Kosovo — Starting July 31, businesses in Kosovo with more than 50 employees or annual turnover exceeding €10 million that have not signed a contract with a licensed electricity supplier will face power disconnections, according to the Energy Regulatory Office (ZRRE).
ZRRE confirmed that the 60-day temporary supply period, initiated on June 1, will officially end on July 30. After that, businesses that fail to secure a contract with a licensed supplier will no longer be eligible to receive power from the Kosovo Energy Corporation (KEK), which currently serves as the Supplier of Last Resort (FMF).
“If we had a functioning Parliament, and an active Economy and Energy Commission, businesses wouldn’t be facing today’s challenge with the liberalized electricity market,” stated Lulzim Rafuna, President of the Kosovo Chamber of Commerce, in an interview with Ekonomia Online.
Rafuna criticized ZRRE for forcing businesses into the free market without proper institutional support and for pushing them to sign contracts that may not be voluntary.
“In law, contracts are based on the consent of both parties. But in this case, businesses are being ordered to enter agreements,” he added.
Rafuna reiterated his call for the suspension of the energy market liberalization process until February 1, 2026.
Under the ZRRE’s decision for market liberalization, all private and public enterprises meeting the size or revenue threshold must enter the open market, selecting a licensed energy supplier on their own. This transition means electricity prices will be determined by supply and demand, rather than set tariffs.
Currently, KEK is supplying electricity temporarily to large businesses, but after July 30, it will no longer be legally authorized to do so.
ZRRE and KEK have urged all affected businesses to immediately contact licensed electricity suppliers and sign new contracts to avoid power interruptions.
There are 22 companies currently licensed to supply electricity in Kosovo, with three more undergoing the licensing process.
