Activist groups have announced a protest against the planned increase in electricity prices in Kosovo, expressing concerns over the growing financial burden on citizens.
The Feminist Collective for Thought and Action, together with the organization “Përpjekja,” has called for a demonstration scheduled for Friday at 13:00, starting near the Kosovo Electricity Distribution Company (KEDS) headquarters and concluding in front of the Government of Kosovo.
Organizers Criticize Continuous Price Increases
In their public statement, the organizers argued that electricity bills have increased annually since 2022, describing the price hikes as unfair and harmful to citizens’ welfare. They claim that KEDS has repeatedly requested price increases, which were approved by the Energy Regulatory Office (ZRrE), allegedly at the expense of the public.
According to the organizers, citizens are not only paying the actual cost of electricity but are also covering distribution losses, management inefficiencies, and operational mistakes, which they say guarantees increasing profits for KEDS.
Concerns Over Living Costs and Energy Supply
The groups highlighted that frequent power outages, lack of adequate heating during winter, and the rising cost of living are direct consequences of electricity price increases. They pointed to the 16.1% tariff increase approved last year, warning that authorities are now considering another increase of around 20%, which they described as “open exploitation” of citizens.
They also accused KEDS of purchasing electricity from the Kosovo Energy Corporation (KEK) at low prices and reselling it to consumers at significantly higher rates, arguing that this practice is worsening poverty and damaging the public interest.
Key Demands of the Protest
The organizers have outlined two primary demands:
- Immediate rejection of KEDS’ request for electricity price increases
- Initiation of procedures to return KEDS to public ownership, a demand also supported by trade unions
The groups urged citizens across Kosovo to participate in the protest, emphasizing that collective action is necessary to prevent further price increases and protect public welfare.
