Analysis for Kosovo: Winter or n @terr wind savings

In the early post-war years, such calls have been frequent, largely based on lack of investments in outdated energy infrastructure.
But the infrastructure, which has not been updated, is not the reason behind Kosovo authorities' calls for citizens to save electricity.

Calls for Electricity Savings

The Electric Energy Distribution Company in Kosovo (KEDS), in a media report on July 27th, said that “across Europe is entering a deep energy crisis” and that the “raising demand on one side and reducing production on the other has caused electricity prices to fly across Europe”.

KEDS reports that the deep energy crisis in Europe has also affected Kosovo.

“Pos price enorms, need for electricity has greatly limited commercial opportunities. In the tenders we've been running recently, in most cases we haven't accepted any offers. In the event of the offer, extra high prices appear under market terms”, KEDS said in the July 27th announcement.

According to KED, in the first week of July, the price on the Hungary Stock Exchange -- HUPX -- was 348 euros for megawatts, while in the last week of July, the price was raised to 735 euros for megawatts.

“The creation of these situations since summer makes a very uncertain situation” prevail, KEDS stressed, which urged consumers “to create savings mechanisms and direct heating of their residential spaces from alternative forms for the winter season”.

Citizens for Energy Savings, Alternatives, and Challenges

Kosovo's electricity needs exceed production capacities, especially during the winter.

Kosovo has the capacity to produce about 800 megawatts per hour, while its needs -- in winter days -- reach up to 1,300 megawatts per hour. That difference, it usually imports from outside.

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

Some citizens in Pristina, with whom Radio Free Europe spoke, said they are reportedly on calls made by institutions for electricity savings. In their view, efforts to save electricity in their homes are made during summer months, and they will do likewise during winter.

Nejip Shylemaija said she has been working abroad for a long time and has been back in Kosovo for years. Saving energy to his home during the winter period, he does not see it as a problem.

I save myself. I used firewood for heat. But no matter what, I save. I save because a man needs to be very vigilant. Lights out, paints out during the day, and lights up at night (when fees are free). If these (government institutions) work and regulate thermal power plants A and B, as well as the people to save, I guess we'll get out of this winter”, Schylema said.

But the next situation has Resmije Dedinca, an education worker, who said her family has four members. She said she has been notified of the Kosovo authorities' calls to find alternative forms of heating during the winter so that electricity can be saved. But that's impossible.

We don't have another option, because wood is too expensive. The coal is forbidden by the previous government. We have no alternative to heating but with electricity. We try to save, usually at night, with laundry and laundry. It means where it can be spared. I don't know, God help us and it's not a difficult winter”, Dedica said.

The use of electrical equipment at night is suggested because electricity tariffs, mainly cheaper.

“The government connects us to Thermocos”

Nazimie Statovci, who works in a graphic studio, described the way of saving. She said she understands the situation in which the country finds itself in terms of electricity supply opportunities.

But, she said she lives in a flat, which is not included in the city's heating scheme or the Termokos company. However, she said that she uses several ways to save electricity.

Use the laundry, the weaver, the boiler. All you can use at night, you don't have to use it during the day. Little heaters know they spend a lot. Those of us living in dwellings cannot be heated with wood or coal. The only alternative is the current. Perhaps the Government would have to make a solution, and where there are buildings, to connect to Thermocos, in order not to be used in the heating current building”, Statovci said.

ZERE Councils

The Energy Regulatory Office in Kosovo, on February 8th of this year, approved the most expensive electricity tariff, which is said to be valid by 31st March 2023.

The extension, however, has affected only those consumers who spend over 800 kilowatts an hour, within a month.

Earlier this year, the Kosovo Energy Regulatory Office (ZRRE) had made some recommendations on how to save the current.

“Targeting clothing washing machines, as well as those for washing dishes at night, with low tariffs, is just one of the methods of saving”, a ZRE directive says.

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.

The energy crisis, which threatens Europe -- and therefore Kosovo -- is the result of high and unstable energy prices in international stock exchanges. The price hikes first began as a result of the coronary pandemic, while the greatest rise was taken after the launch of Ukraine's Russian occupation on February 24th of this year.

This has prompted the European Union's response, which has imposed a series of sanctions on Russia. This has also contributed to the reduction of the Russian gas supply of European countries, which have had the main energy source.

As KEDS have stressed, electricity prices on the stock market have fourfold, compared to the same period in 2021. However, according to KED, demand for electricity has increased.