In February: Expensive electricity warning after this month

The power supply and return of the blockades are just a few requirements the Energy Regulatory Office in Kosovo (ZRRE) is considering for the new tariff structure.

Advanced data on this structure, sir. RRE warns that it will publicize early in February.

We hope that the final reports will be released as soon as ZERE experts analyze all data. All parties will be announced at the time when reports will be made public”, the ZRRE response sent to Radio Free Europe.

In December, this institution ʹ following the requirements of the operator of the Displacement System (KEDS) and the Kosovar Power Supply Company (KESCO) has begun to conduct extraordinary review of electricity tariffs.

This review is said to be intended to reflect on rising electricity import prices as a result of the global energy crisis.

The ZERE suggests that the tariffs to be determined in this review will apply for a year.

This suggests that regular consideration of tariffs, usually conducted in April of each year, is eliminated.

THE GER does not give any indication of how expensive the current can be. But the Kosovar Power Distribution Company (KEDS) has already demanded that the increase be 7 per cent.

Kosovo consumers currently pay 6.75 cents per kilowatt per hour.

KED spokesman Viktor Buzhala tells Radio Free Europe that with weather cooling, demand for electricity has increased.

To meet the level of consumption, which on January 11th was 1232 megawatts per hour, Buzhala says they are importing electricity over 500 megawatts and at high prices.

“Import prices have been dropping from December 24th, 2021, but in the last two days have begun to rise. It depends on the contract being realised, but at the moment, the price of electricity for megawatts amounts to 270 euros”, Buzhala says.

Electricity imports are inevitable, as thermal power plants in Kosovo are currently failing to produce more than 500 megawatts of electricity per hour.

One of the reasons for the sub-production is the decades-old age of thermal power plants.