Pacific on new electricity tariffs, north of “inex1> RELIGION with conflicting statements

The Energy Regulatory Office's decision to increase electricity tariffs has turned to the spotlight one of the most sensitive topics in Kosovo: the unfair treatment of consumers and management of the energy sector in the four northern municipalities.

The ZER has issued various statements concerning the decision to raise electricity tariffs, causing confusion.

Initially, Z RRE reported that starting on June 1st 2025, citizens and businesses in Kosovo will face an increase in the price of electricity of 16.1 per cent.

This increase will apply to all categories of consumers in areas where the Universal Service provider operates, currently the ECCO company.

In response to Kosova Prees, Z The RRE explained that the new tariffs will not be implemented in the four northern municipalities of northern Mitrovica -- Leposaviq, Zvecan and Zubin Potok -- as these areas are supplied by the Serbian company Elektrosever, which operates outside the system of the Universal Service supplier.

According to the ZRRE, tariff relations in this part are different and the approved tariffs do not include these municipalities.

The “Tarifat approved by the Energy Regulatory Office Board (ZRRE) is implemented by the Universal Service provider starting from June 01st 2025 in the entire territory it operates. If the question is about the country's four northern municipalities, which are currently supplied by Elektrosever, then these tariffs are not implemented in that part of the territory, because Elektrosever operates outside the system of the Universal Minister supply and tariff relations are different”, said the ZRR response.

This statement sparked immediate reactions, as for nearly 25 years residents in the north have not regularly paid for the flow spent.

Although the billing in this section began in February 2024, the rate of payment from consumers in the four northern municipalities does not exceed 20 percent.

Meanwhile, Z. THREE on this day published another announcement, stressing that new transmission fees, system operating and distribution are mandatory for all electricity suppliers on the territory of the Republic of Kosovo, including Elektroser.

“The rise of electricity tariffs and the impact on consumers in the north, Energy Regulatory Office (ZRRE) announces public opinion that the Z Board The 1604.2025 RR has also approved Tarifat for the Exploitation System Exploitation, Transmission System Operation of the Market System, as well as Tarifat for Exploitation of the Displacement System, which tariffs are binding for all electrical power suppliers in the entire territory of the Republic of Kosovo, including the Elektrossever<2>, says in the report.

Also, Z. RRE stressed that Elektrosever has licenses from this institution to supply consumers in the four northern municipalities and that obligations to use the network apply equally to all operators.

This situation has added to qualms related to real implementation of energy price growth in the north.

In preliminary statements, Z. RRE had indicated that the price of 16.1 percent higher would not be applied to the north, given that Elektrossever operates as commercial suppliers and not as Universal Service suppliers.

However, today's announcement stressed that the tariffs for the use of the system are mandatory for all operators indiscriminately.

The decision to raise the price of energy has prompted strong reactions from citizens, businesses and political subjects in Kosovo.

In Pristina some protests have been held that oppose expensiveness, demanding the withdrawal of the decision and equal treatment for all citizens.

At the moment it remains unclear how and when new tariffs will be implemented in the north, and how payment will be guaranteed by consumers who traditionally refused to pay energy bills./Periscopi/