The Board of the Energy Regulatory Office of Kosovo (ZRRE) approved the requests of three energy operators for the allowed maximum revenues during Friday’s meeting, writes Rks News.
Meanwhile, ZRRE members did not officially announce the exact percentage of the electricity price increase, but Radio Free Europe has learned from internal sources that the increase could be up to 16 percent. ZRRE stated that it will announce the exact percentage of the electricity price hike in the coming days.
The request for an electricity price increase has sparked protests and opposition, with a protest planned for noon to oppose the hike in electricity prices.
In March, the energy regulator proposed an increase of around 15 percent in electricity prices, arguing that this step was necessary due to reduced energy production, increased consumption, and the heavy dependence on imports with high prices.
ZRRE’s request for an energy price hike was opposed by the Presidency and citizens who protested a week ago. The acting government urged ZRRE not to increase the price of electricity for consumers who use less than 800 kilowatt-hours per month.
Currently, the electricity price for consumers who use up to 800 kilowatt-hours is 7.79 cents per kilowatt, while for those who use more than 800 kilowatt-hours, the part above this value is charged at 14.45 cents.
If the ZRRE Board approves the new tariffs, they will come into effect on May 1. ZRRE reviews and sets electricity tariffs every year, and they are announced every April 1, valid until March 31 of the following year.
The three companies in the energy sector, KOSTT, KEDS, and KESCO, had requested the tariff increase due to the import of electricity, as Kosovo cannot meet its energy needs solely through production from the Kosovo Energy Corporation (KEK).
Business representatives have expressed concern that the increase in energy prices will raise operational costs, forcing them to increase the prices of products and services, making them less competitive in the market.
