One day ahead of the planned protest by businesses against the decision to liberalize the electricity market, Kosovo’s caretaker government held a meeting with representatives of economic chambers and manufacturing companies.
According to the official announcement, the meeting was organized on Wednesday by the National Council for Economy and Investments, at the request of the Government, to discuss the challenges businesses are expected to face after the new system comes into effect on June 1.
“Prime Minister Kurti emphasized that the Government of the Republic of Kosovo will stand by producers in every challenge arising from this process,” the statement said. Meanwhile, Acting Minister of Economy, Artane Rizvanolli, highlighted the importance of cooperation with the business community.
“The Ministry of Economy and the Government of the Republic of Kosovo will continue intensive communication and cooperation with businesses, particularly producers, to help them face these challenges,” she stated.
As a next step, a joint meeting between energy suppliers and the companies transitioning to the open market has been announced. The aim is to exchange practical information and help businesses make more informed decisions when choosing electricity suppliers.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the ERO Board, Ymer Fejzullahu, reported that since the meeting on May 19, there has been communication with licensed suppliers, six of whom are currently active and five of whom have already offered contracts to various enterprises.
“ERO also announced that there has been increased interest from regional companies to supply electricity in Kosovo, and as a result, the number of companies licensed to supply electricity has risen to 21,” the statement adds.
KEK representative Gramoz Hashani clarified the issue of the “supplier of last resort” for companies unable to secure timely contracts.
“He informed participants that companies unable to secure regular supply contracts must sign a contract with KEK to benefit from this option offered by the legislation,” the statement continued.
Businesses have announced a protest for Thursday, May 29, from 10:00 to 12:00, which will temporarily block three main entry routes into Prishtina: from Veternik, Fushë-Kosova, and Podujeva. The protest is organized to express dissatisfaction with ERO’s decision, which mandates that companies with more than 50 employees and over 100 million euros in annual turnover must enter the open market and purchase electricity at unregulated prices.
