Kosovo's major demand for electricity could jeopardise Europe's supply, according to Reuters

High demand for electricity in Kosovo could jeopardise power supply across Europe, the European Network of Transmission System Operators warned, Reuters reports.

Operators of the Transmission System in the Regional Group for Continental Europe have called on the Kosovo Transmission System Operator (KOSTT) to balance its electricity system, which is their contractual obligation.

Countries across Europe, they say, are facing increased gas and electricity prices in part due to increased demand amid the economic recovery of countries from pandemic. This is especially pronounced in Kosovo, where electricity production has been reduced due to technical defects in the middle of the winter season. All of this, they say, is forcing Kosovo to import much more energy than usual.

They cite the example of entrepreneur Jayal Gashi, who is thinking of closing his oven in Pristina because he fails to cover the cost of fuel for the generator.

“For the electricity bill usually pays about 300 euros, but now spend 100-110 euros a day to buy fuel for the unit”, Gashi said, in whose oven are employed 10 workers.

Many businesses and families in Kosovo have bought portable electricity generators since the start of electricity restrictions.

Reuters also points out that Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti has talked about the drastic increase in the electricity price in Kosovo, and they also say Kosovo citizens pay the cheapest electricity in Europe because the fees for households are largely subsidised.

Kosovo produces most of the energy from two coal power plants outside Pristina, and usually imports 10 to 15 per cent of the energy it consumes, but during the crisis, imports grew to 40 per cent.