Proposal for expensive electricity rejected by former energy minister

K E The SCO has argued the request by failing to obtain subsidies promised by the government and by increasing energy prices on international markets.

However, against this expensive proposal of electricity tariffs is former Energy Minister Ethem Ceku, but the same is not thinking leadership of the Institute for Development Policy (INDEP).

According to university professor, the possible doubles of electricity tariffs are not the solution to the energy crisis. Ceku has called on the Government to take measures for the awareness of citizens in the efficient use of energy, as he says there is abuse of electricity.

“Even priced energy tariffs are still not a solution, it does not cover investment needs. Lifting tariffs may delay or solve a problem, but it is not the solution. I know KESCO applied to the Regulatory Office, but we have to build some other policies. The government needs to take measures for awareness of citizens in the use of electricity efficiency. It is abused by electricity at all levels of Kosovo. If you enter institutions, today in broad daylight there are lights on. Public lighting must be reduced and there is a awareness, let's not go immediately with price hikes”, Ceku says.

Otherwise the director at the Institute for Development Policy (INDEP) Source Ejupi, which argues ECCO's proposal for raising electricity tariffs for citizens.

But Ejupi asks Z THREEs to avoid politically calculated new tariffs.

“The KESCO corrections are fair, and the ZERE as an independent body must decide along with all the circumstances KESCO faces. It is not Kosovo's interest that a company, which makes electricity supply go bankrupt at this time. We're in the phase when the market has to be liberalized, so there's more companies that supply energy. Z RRE needs urgently not to calculate politically, political calculations have brought this situation, past governments, this government, because technical problems have given them political approach”, Ejupi says.

THE ZER in a response to KosovoPress has said it is currently under way to review the FSHU application and within the terms outlined will inform the public and the FSHU of actions to be undertaken by the regulator.

“Whether or not the regulator accepts the FSHU proposal for extraordinary adaptation. Currently, the regulator is in the process of reviewing the FSHU application, and within the terms described above, will announce the public and the FSHU for actions to be taken by the Regulatory”, the ZERE's written response reported.

Currently, citizens pay two types of tariffs, due to the tariff bloc set at 800 kWh. The low fee for those who spend under this block is 2.89 cents per kWh, while high for family consumers who spend less than this tax block is 6.75 cents per kWh. The KESCO proposal is that with new tariffs, prices will be raised to 5.43 cents per kWh as low tariffs and 12.78 cents per kWh for high fee.

Meanwhile, every kWh currently spent over 800 kWh spent monthly currently costs 5.9 cents on low pay and 12.52 on top. KESCO's proposal brings these tariffs to 11.09 cents for low and 23.53 cents for high.

The extension has been proposed as for those who spend less than 800kWh a month, such as for those who exceed the bloc.

While in terms of the energy crisis and the start of electricity reductions in the country, former Energy Minister Ethem Ceku has said that providing these days with energy from Albania cannot solve the problem. According to him, Kosovo authorities with Albania must make joint investments.

“Albania can help us, but it cannot make solutions, even they are in trouble, buy expensive energy. They spent over 200m euros last year on energy purchase. Albania depends mainly on hydro energy, and this year is very dry. Albania can help Kosovo from time to time as was the case of yesterday and today, where Albania provided an amount of electricity. But what I'm re-increasing, it needs Kosovo authorities with Albania to build a energy sector development plan like EU countries for joint investments. So, we with Albania can make joint investments”, he points out.

Following KED's announcement that from Monday there will be reductions of electricity across Kosovo, the Ministry of Economy announced that regular supply has been restored due to co-operation with Albania, but that Tuesday, there were restrictions and early power cuts in the country.