The Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) has launched a legal battle against the announcement by the Energy Regulatory Office (ERO), which plans to remove around 1,300 businesses from the universal energy service starting June 1 and move them to the free market.
At a press conference, PDK MP Abelard Tahiri strongly criticized the decision, saying it affects thousands of workers and risks plunging the country into an economic and social crisis.
“ERO acted without considering the reactions of civil society, economic chambers, and professional organizations, and without fulfilling the conditions it had set for a safe and fair market liberalization process. This decision was made without a competition analysis and without consultation with responsible institutions, such as the Kosovo Competition Authority and the Office of State Aid. As clearly noted by the Ombudsman Institution, this decision undermines the legitimate interests of a wide economic community and creates conditions for a new social crisis in our country,” he emphasized.
PDK called on the ERO to immediately suspend the implementation of this announcement; otherwise, it warned that within 15 days it will file a lawsuit at the Basic Court of Prishtina.
Tahiri raised serious concerns about KESCO’s dominant market position and the high prices in the free market.
“The situation becomes even more alarming due to KESCO’s dominant position in the market, while most other licensed operators are not producers but merely energy traders, offering prices up to 280% higher. This clearly proves that conditions for an open, fair, and competitive market do not exist. Therefore, PDK calls on the ERO to immediately suspend the implementation of this announcement, as this is not a decision but merely a notice to avoid legal confrontation.”
At the end, Tahiri mentioned a company linked to individuals close to the government.
“Luan Dalipi is the founder and was also the owner of this company. MDA, linked to the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff, who is currently led by Driton Dalipi, has applied for a license to supply electricity in our country. On one hand, the Prime Minister sends his brother to the Electricity Trading Department at KEK, and on the other, the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff seeks a license to sell electricity through these companies that have been put into the free market.”
