The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Kosovo (DhTIK), representing over 700 businesses from various sectors, has raised concerns about the rapid process of liberalizing the energy market in Kosovo.
According to the Chamber, this process could have harmful consequences for businesses, consumers, and the country’s economic stability.
Urgent Call for Suspension
Since the beginning of the liberalization process, the Chamber has opposed the decision of the Energy Regulatory Office (ZRRE), calling for an immediate suspension due to what they claim is a lack of sufficient staff for effective oversight and suspicions of influence from the dominant operator in the market.
In their statement, the Chamber emphasized:
- There is no public platform for businesses to compare offers.
- Lack of transparency regarding contracts and conditions.
- The current energy prices offered to businesses are more than 200% higher than before.
In response to these concerns, the Chamber is organizing a petition for all businesses listed to transition to the free energy market to sign it.
Conditions for Market Opening
Before opening the energy market, the Chamber is calling for the following conditions to be met:
- Legal preparations and clear guidelines for implementation.
- Creation of real competition in the market.
- Effective oversight by ZRRE.
- Transparency for consumers.
- A gradual and voluntary transition phase.
- Guarantees for sustainable and affordable supply.
Without these conditions, the Chamber warns that the current form of market liberalization could lead to:
- A massive increase in energy prices.
- Financial instability for businesses.
- Benefits only for the dominant operator.
A Unique Case in Southeast Europe
The Chamber points out that no country in Southeast Europe has liberalized its energy market in such a forced, immediate manner without a transitional phase, as is being demanded by the ZRRE in Kosovo. Therefore, the Chamber calls for the immediate suspension of ZRRE’s decision and a re-evaluation based on the principles of fair competition, consumer protection, and adequate legal and institutional preparation.
