Nikaj criticises Government: Kosovo in deep energy crisis, declared emergency situation

According to him, the Government has consistently overlooked this and has failed to take steps against the crisis, calling the executive failure that has led the country into a deep energy crisis.

“Knowing our consumption profile as well as the limited generation capacity especially for the autumn and winter period to cover the demand for consumption, the statements of this government only a few weeks ago were that Kosovo has not been affected and covered most of our local consumption -- that is, a total neglect and amateurism for reasons of ignorance, but also political calculations. Failure to accept the crisis has been political calculations related to local elections”.

Kosovo today is in a deep energy crisis. As we all witness, in recent days we are faced with uncontrolled electricity reductions. Even worse, we have no clarity as long as this situation lasts, and even less what are the measures being taken to overcome this situation?

Full speech:

Honored media representatives,

Dear citizens,

For more than three months, the Democratic Party of Kosovo has been alarmed over the approaching energy crisis. In view of this, the Government of Kosovo continued to neglect the problem and fail to draft and take measures that would at least create a security in the face of this crisis.

Given our consumption profile as well as our limited generation capacity, especially for the autumn and winter period to cover the demand for consumption, the statements of this government just a few weeks ago were that Kosovo has not been affected and covered most local consumption, that is, a total neglect and amateurism for reasons not to know but also political calculations. Failure to accept the crisis has been political calculations related to local elections.

Today the consequences are suffering all of Kosovo.

This government didn't take any measures to address the growing problem these acts were facing, but in the midst of the crisis, a regular entity like KO. The STT, which would have to return to consumers, received 20 million euros. How wrong this decision was is indicating that just a few months behind, so the decision was made yesterday in the government meeting. Even worse these tools are used to cover the costs of the north supply.

Kosovo today is in a deep energy crisis. As we're all witnesses, we've been facing an uncontrolled reduction of electricity. Even worse, we have no clarity as long as this situation lasts, and even less what are the measures that are being taken to overcome this situation?

The decision of the last few days to allocate 20 million euros for the subsidization of energy import is the right decision. Well, these tools that have already been spent, in relation to the current energy prices in international markets, will not suffice for the remaining seven days of this year.

Today, the provision of citizens of Kosovo with electricity is threatened. Today we expect our fellow countrymen from unheated and unheated diaspora.

Today, they don't make excuses and guilt. Today the government is claiming to wait for a solution if it rains in Albania. It's not enough to wait for a German expert to come and fix the storm of block 2 in Kosovo B.

As for the reminder, while we debate in the dark and cold, yesterday the northern Macedonian government signed a loan contract with the EIB for 28.9 million investments in the construction of the flux with Greece. In the meantime, we are witnesses to an extreme banal of the project for the construction of gases in Kosovo.

There are missing concrete and bold actions from the government.

Above all these government actions are being done at the expense of citizens and businesses. The increase in energy prices, at a time of overall price increases, without offering alternative heating will have a dramatic impact on family economies of our citizens.

Today heat is not a luxury, it is not only a comfort to the prime minister's office and ministers. It's essential and basic right for every citizen.

So it's imperative that:

Let it be declared a state of emergency in supply under the Energy Law, which would then increase government competencies to intervene in the market.

Let's not allow the increase in citizen energy prices, which are hit by the consequences of the pandemic, would be even higher.

Even though in the midst of the crisis, in the budget approved a few days ago, we don't have any letters or budget lines addressing this emergency situation. So we demand that urgently allocate an emergency supply fund for the year 2022 which continues and depending on local production, as well as the need for import will ensure a safe supply of energy for all citizens and businesses.

Get rid of the tachyon crisis period KEK and proportionally lower the price so that the positive effects can be carried to the citizen.

There's planning and transparency in the supply prevention schedule so that citizens will be able to do the planning of daily activities.

The Sanzibilisation of all international mechanisms and in particular The EU is demanding responsibility from Serbia in charge, which with the deadlock of lines and the access to cross-border capacities, is figuring out import and raising the cost of this import as well as the higher cost of the import. One thing which is sanctioned even with the Energy Community Treaty, where signatories are both Serbia and Kosovo.

Take all necessary steps to address the situation with the energy supply in the north.

After all, the government starts doing its job. To govern, not to reason but to take responsibility and create solutions.

Happy holidays.

Thank you.