Z decision THREE for energy, major businesses warn continued protests: Threatened Overseas

On June 1st 2025, the decision to transfer major businesses to Kosovo's free electricity market went into effect.

This change, promoted by the Energy Regulatory Office (ZRRE), aims to promote competition and transparency in the energy sector, but has been met with concern by many big and medium-sized companies.

The lack of certified suppliers, fears of price hikes and lack of institutional preparation are among the reasons that led to severe protests late May, including blocking Pristina's main entry by heavy tonnage vehicles.

However, despite these reactions, the decision has already been implemented, opening a new and uncertain chapter for the private sector and the country's economy as a whole.

Agim Sahin, chairman of the Kosovo Alliance of Business (AKB), has declared FrontOnline that there will be protests following the entry into force of the decision to impose major businesses on the free energy market by 1 June. He claims this is no longer a free market, but an expensive “teg”, where businesses are facing affordable electricity prices.

The protests are inevitable, we are meeting with the organisational council today and the decision will be made on further steps because the free market decision can already be said to be the decision of the expensive market, Sahin told FrontOnline.

According to Sahin, the first negative effects of this decision have already been seen, a company in Ferizaj has started reducing the number of workers and is considering the possibility of closing the plant or making further cuts.

The first results of this decision are clear where a company from Ferizaj has lowered the number of workers and is considering how it acts or closes the plant or reduces the workers, the head of GDP said.

Ramiz Kelmendi, director of the Elkos Group, has confirmed his company's participation in the anti-binding transition to the free electricity market. According to him, despite business engagement, protesters have faced obstacles from the rule institutions, which have demanded that the number of participating vehicles be reduced due to the traffic jam at a length of 20km.

We have attended the protest even though according to colleagues we have been obstructed by law institutions because our cars have taken the 20km long route and prevented circulation, Kelmendi said.

Kelmendi also said they were recommended for protests to be organised by fewer means

They have recommended that we protest with smaller numbers of cars protests, Kelmendi said.

He explained that the goal of the protest is not the personal benefit or benefit of any particular group, but the protection of jobs and stability of the economy.

Protests must be maintained, sensationalised and announce the opinion that the protest is being done, not for the benefit of people, but for the preservation of jobs and economics, Kelmendi concluded.

Bedri Kasumi, owner of the company “Vipa Chips”, has confirmed participation in the latest business protest and has warned them of the continuation until real conditions for a free energy market are created.

We have participated in the business protest and will continue with protests until conditions for free market are created, Kasumi said.

He points out that, although it's called a free <x0-teg”, in reality it's omonopopolo because there's only one supplier. Kasumi adds that as long as this situation is, protests will continue

It's being marketed free, but it's monopoly. It's just a supplier, we're not in a good position and normally we'll continue with protests, Kasumi said.

Representatives of “Queen Drina” have announced that they have not yet received new energy bills within the free market, yet are aware that this transition will have considerable impact on their business.

The Andes didn't come new market bills but normally that would affect this free market transition, they declared from this business.. /Periscopi/