KEDS and KESCO react to Z RRE's for fine punishment against them

The ECDS has reacted to the ZERE decision on a fine penalty of 11.1m euros.

Reaction against ZER decision to fine sentence on KEDS and KESCO

Dear citizens,

As you are aware, during the year 2021 and 2022, the electricity sector in Europe and the region has faced a very severe -- heavy energy crisis over the past decades. Countries such as Kosovo, whose production does not cover consumer demand, have felt this crisis even deeper.

Although early energy crisis signals have emerged in July 2021, the Energy Regulatory Office, despite continued demands by operators KEDS and KESCO did not take any measures to prevent this crisis.

The demand for an extraordinary examination based on legislation was ignored, and as such, it was refused in principle, without seeing further analysis of it necessary, as required in the proper order.

In February of this year, the regulator made a delayed decision that produced no results in overcoming the crisis, forcing operators to operate under costs.

Regulatory inactions have created disorders, confusion and additional costs in Kosovo's electricity sector. Moreover, although the power sector has been in emergency condition since December last year, the regulator insists that no action be taken.

All countries in the region have supported operators in the electricity sector with a series of measures in order to ensure the sustainability of their electromagnetic system. The regulator, as the sole authority responsible for the sound and sustainable functioning of the energy system, has failed to meet the obligations offered by law, while failing to act, and thus has put the energy system into an even deeper crisis.

With great concern, on November 16, 2022, we have accepted the media communiqué, through which we are reported that at the 11th session of the ZERE Board, the final assessment of findings presented by the ERR professional staff in monitoring reports has been considered, adopting the proposal for administrative measures with fines for KESCO worth 8.4m euros and for KEDS worth 2.7m euros.

From this statement it is clear that the ZERE Board, in order to dismiss the responsibilities of its continued inactions, has decided to fine only operators KEDS and KESCO, based on professional staff findings. The consequences of this sentence, in the same way, are being carried to the professional staff.

In other words, the only action to overcome the energy crisis is the decision to fine the KED operators/ KESCO, deepening and jeopardising the sustainability of the electromagnetic system in the difficult winter period ahead. The Board of Energy Regulatory Office has left the energy sector at <x0m> of fate”.

Without any doubt, KEDS and KESCO will follow all legal ways, with due arguments and evidence, with firm confidence in Kosovo's justice system.

The cause of the energy crisis has occurred outside the control of operators, who have suffered the consequences of the timely inaction of relevant institutions.

Dear citizens,

Despite being in a very difficult situation and with much uncertainty about the security of electricity in the coming winter period, we pledge that we will run out of all our options, just as we have done so far, to combat this energy crisis, even though we feel alone and without institutional support.