The Basic Court in Pristina has rejected two lawsuits filed by the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and the Chamber of Commerce of Kosovo (OEK), along with the Association of Kosovo Producers (SHPK), against the Energy Regulatory Office (ZRrE) concerning the liberalization of the energy market for businesses. The court deemed their requests unfounded.
In its announcement, ZRrE stated that the court found ZRrE had acted in accordance with current legislation.
Court Upholds ZRrE’s Decision and Liberalization Benefits
“The court evaluated the evidence presented by the plaintiffs, including annual corporate income tax declaration forms, and found that the businesses in question did not prove they had fewer than 50 employees, although they did prove an annual turnover of less than 10 million euros. In the absence of fulfilling both criteria simultaneously, the Court concluded that ZRrE acted in accordance with the legislation in force,” states the ZRrE communiqué.
The ZRrE communiqué further elaborates that the court emphasized the benefits of the energy market liberalization process:
- Promotes greater competition among suppliers.
- Encourages lower prices and higher quality service for consumers.
- Enables suppliers to offer more favorable deals and discounts.
- Increases efficiency in the energy sector, prompting companies to manage costs better and provide more reliable services – in the interest of consumers and the public.
ZRrE reminded the public of the legal obligations stemming from Article 3, point 1.72, and Article 37 of Law No. 05/L-085 on Electricity, which has been in force since 2016. This law clearly stipulates that economic enterprises with more than 50 employees or over 10 million euros in annual turnover are not entitled to universal service supply and must be supplied through the free electricity market.
ZRrE urges all businesses that meet the legal criteria for entering the open market to take the necessary steps to find suppliers and obtain energy through the free market, thereby leveraging the benefits of competition. ZRrE reiterated its commitment to implementing the law and protecting public interest, ensuring an open, functional market in line with European standards.
