15 Aug 14
A proposed rise of 5 per cent in the price of electricity could well galvanize street protests, critics of the measure say
Nektar Zogjani
Pristina
Consumers in Kosovo will have to pay more for their electricity if the recommendations for a price increase taken by the Energy Regulatory Office are approved.
The authorities say the increase is needed to compensate for the damage caused by an explosion that took place on June 6 at the “Kosovo A” power plant in Obiliq.
“One of the main reasons for this tariff review has to do with the energy supply security for all clients, and to prevent possible electricity reductions,” the Regulatory Office said.
The decision will be taken after “all the interested parties” deliver their comments on the Office’s recommendations until August 22.
Critics say the planned hike of 5 per cent for electricity is unfair and bad for the economy.
Ibrahim Rexhepi, an economics expert, told Balkan Insight that the decision effectively punished ordinary people “for the two operators’ mismanagement”.
The Energy Regulatory is an independent body established by the Assembly of Kosovo to regulate the energy market.
The Kosovo Energy Distribution and Supply Company, KEDS, has exclusive control of the electricity supply and its distribution.
Supply and distribution were privatized in 2013, when they were finally split off from the Electricity Corporation of Kosovo, which deals with production of energy.
The explosion at the Kosova A power plant in June killed two persons, injured others and caused extensive damage.
Rexhepi expressed his concern that the increase in the price of electricity may affect the economy in general.
“The increase is bad not only because the price of the electricity will be higher by 5 per cent, but because it affects the price of other goods,” he said. “This could cause the closure of businesses, meaning that there will be higher rate of unemployment,” he explained.
Yll Rugova from Pristina, one of the organizers of last year’s protests against price increase of the electricity, said that there were fresh discussions on social networks about organizing another street protest against an increase in power prices.
“The price increase is a huge mistake, because people are already paying high prices for energy compared to the average wage,” he told Balkan Insight. “I think unrest is inevitable,” he added.
