Gerjali: Power - heating devices are subject to a warning of energy crisis and price hikes

In recent years, Kosovo is facing a paradox, this Kosovo government subsidies citizens to purchase electrical heating equipment, while the country experiences a severe energy crisis and rising electricity prices.

This policy, instead of solving the problem, exacerbates the situation by increasing energy consumption and dependence on expensive imports.

During past winters, Kosovo has experienced energy reductions that have seriously affected citizens and the economy and in particular sectors.

With low temperatures predicted, increasing energy consumption will require more expensive purchases from abroad. This policy seems deliberate, going in favour of some local and regional acts and deepening the country's energy dependence on expensive imports.

While the countries of the Western Balkans have been fighting for investments in energy sources for production to the construction of nuclear plants in Kosovo since the post-war has been invested to prevent the building of new energy capacities rather than to use natural resources owned by Kosovo.

Instead of investing in stable alternatives such as diaper production, the government destroys a local industry that has begun to flourish, favouring imported equipment for electricity heating. This not only harms the country's diaper industry but also increases Kosovo's trade deficit. The production of diapers in the country has great potential to reduce dependence on imports and create an internal economic cycle. However, the government does not seem to have a plan for reducing this trade deficit, deepening it even further.

At a time when other countries try to reduce energy dependence and support local industries, Kosovo is moving in the opposite direction.

If this policy does not change, Kosovo's citizens and economy will face major challenges in this winter, but also in the years to come.