Finally, he plays the President's door: Rejecting the Expensive Power

According to the ZRR, this increase has come because import prices for energy still remain high.

“Draft for growth is about 14 percent, staff proposal, but no decision has been made. But it is expected that within this month, it would become a decision. So the staff proposal is about 14 percent. We need once again to examine the comments, after considering them, we come up with answers to these comments with a final report and then it turns into a decision”, the ZERE leader Ymer Fejzullahu has declared, adding that they are expecting comments from relevant institutions and organisations in order to make the decision.

Regarding this warning, the Kosovo Presidency Office has recommended avoiding increasing tariffs.

In the document, the presidency stresses that this decision can have socio-economic and burden influence on citizens, especially vulnerable groups.

“The office of the president of the Republic of Kosovo expresses concern about the eventual socio-economic impact of such a decision and the burden that such a decision would cause citizens, and in particular, the most vulnerable groups of society, such as pensioners, self-friendly mothers, social scheme holders and people and marginalised families”, the document says.

“The ZPRK recommends that in this extraordinary tax review, the opportunities to avoid raising tariffs by encouraging inter-institute communication and co-ordination with the aim of ensuring the subsidisation of additional costs that have contributed to the increase in difficulties for regulated operators”, the ZPRK follows.

The presidency recommends that prior to making this decision by the ZERE, the possibility of subsidy be considered in order to avoid the series of tariff increases.

The EU's energy support package for Kosovo through which 75m euros have been provided to help deal with the energy crisis. Under the agreement between Kosovo and the EU, 25m euros will go towards subsidising energy bills and alternative heating methods, such as wood and diaper”, the Presidency requires.

“Aye, ZPRK, recommends that prior to making a final decision, the possibility of subsidy seriously be considered, avoiding the need for a new ZRERE decision, which would result in a series of tariff increases in our country”, the ZPRK concludes.

We remember that the ZERE on February 9th 2022 had approved new electricity tariffs. With these rates, consumers who spend over 800kWh of electricity per month pay more dearly. According to ZERE estimates, about 20 percent of consumers spend more than 800kWh per month.

From October 1st to March 31st, the low electricity fee -- from 10:00 to 7:00 -- applies in Kosovo. And from April 1 to September 30, the low rate is between 11:00 and 0800.