Boyler among the biggest electricity spenders: KEDS shows how time to release it

We can't use a lot of low tariffs, since water stops at the time when the current is cheaper. But when the tariffs are low, we activate vessels washing machines and clothes”, Haklaj relates.

Kosovo's low electricity fee -- from October 1st to 31st -- applies from 22:00am to 7:00am. And from April 1 through September 30, it applies from 11: 00 a.m. to 8: 00 a.m.

The low electricity tariff is approximately 4 cents per kilowatt per hour cheaper, compared to the high fee. The average electricity bill during the winter season is 30 euros per month.

Bekim Sadiku says he pays about 25 euros a month. Sadiku, who is a farmer, lives with his six-member family. He says electricity is saved in some ways.

We don't leave the lights on unnecessarily. We keep the Boylere as light as it needs, then we stop it. So we save electricity”, Sadiku says.

Kosovo consumers pay 6.75 cents per kilowatt per hour. Compared to countries in the region, such as Northern Macedonia, Serbia and Albania, the current in Kosovo is cheaper for 3 to 4 cents.

The Kosovar Power Supply Company (KESCO) and the Kosovo Power Distribution Company (KEDS) have warned on November 19th that due to the drop in temperatures, increased energy consumption is expected, and its additional import as a result.

The “thus estimates to have astronomical and unaffordable costs not only for KEDS and KESCO, but for all Kosovo citizens”, it says in a statement.

KEDS, ZERE appeal for electricity savings

At the time when Europe is facing an energy crisis, due to increased gas prices and other factors, the Kosovo Energy Regulatory Office (ZRRE) and (KEDS) have asked citizens to save the electricity, so it does not come to shortages.

“Targeting clothing washing machines, as well as those for washing dishes at night, with low tariffs, is just one method that would save electricity”, a ZRE directive said.

Another recommendation says that accusulation of heat in heat thermos can be made at low rates during the night, while painter can be used only when needed.

THE ZER also gives other advice, such as not putting the refrigerator near heat sources and turning the lights off in space that is not exploited. Z The RRE, too, recommends using saving electrical jars and neon lights.

Given the statistics of institutions in Kosovo, households are the main suppliers of the total electricity produced in the country.

According to the Kosovo Statistics Agency, during 2020, 28 percent of the total amount of electricity has been consumed by households.

This amount is largely spent on heating houses and other areas, heating water, and in the kitchen.

The total capacity of electricity generation in Kosovo in 2020 has been 1,110 megawatts.

KEDS: Energy savings brings cheaper bills

The Kosovo Electricity Distribution Company (KEDS), on the list of the biggest electricity providers, has identified central electricity heat and paint.

ECDS Consumer Services Department Director Sabri Ternava tells Radio Free Europe that heavy electricity consumption causes huge loads in the electro-energenergy system, and that this could affect electricity cuts.

“Not to come to this point, we must be challenged in relation to the use of electricity in our homes”, Ternava says.

To save electricity heat, Ternava recommends setting up a time cut in the central furnace so that the furnace can be completely shut down when there is no need.

He also recommends that the temperature regulator in the central furnace be replaced by a regulator who can control temperature at different intervals.

The theatre recommends that the boiler light at night when it is low, but during the day only as needed.

If this advice is applied, you can have comfortable heating and while saving up to 30 percent of the electricity”, Ternava says.

Renewable sources, electricity savings potential

Electricity market experts say investment in renewable energy sources would bring longer-term savings.

Trim Ternava says that saving is not enough to pass only low rates.

“Kosovo is one of the countries with large electricity consumption per capita, and this is due to the heating that is realised by [alertical] energy. This needs to be changed, since it is neither a practice nor an environmental one to warm up with electricity”, Ternava says.

Kosovo produces up to 85 percent of its electricity through coal-fired thermal power plants and very small amounts from renewable sources, such as hydro power plants, wind plants and photovoltaic panels.

As a result of the energy crisis, consumers across Europe are facing very high electricity bills.

In Kosovo, according to officials in KED and ZRRE, there is not expected to be expensive bills at least not until the spring of 2022.

However, the first effects of the energy crisis have started to feel the metallural company “Ferronkeli” in Drenas, which since October 8th has cut off production due to the price of electricity in Europe.