Energy market liberalisation: ZERE decision expected with concern

Kosovo's Economic Oda and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Kosovo have said on Tuesday they have accepted with concern the second degree decision by the Commercial Court, which is in favour of the Energy Regulatory Office (ZRRE), for liberalisation of the energy market.

The ZERE has not yet come up with an official announcement, but it has told Radio Free Europe that businesses should soon link contracts to any licensed company, or otherwise be cut off from the power grid.

The ZERE decision to liberalise the energy market has entered into force on 1 June. Under the decision, all companies that have more than 50 workers, or circulation of over 10m euros annually, have been forced to cross the open energy market.

Companies that have failed to contract with a supplier are being supplied by the Kosovo Energy Corporation (KEK), as the last opportunity for electricity security, for a 60-day period. This period, for those who have contracted with KEK, has expired on July 31st.

However, through an act of judgment issued by the Commercial Court on July 30th, Z. The RRE for the release of companies into the free market has been described as illegal, and thus companies have not been shut off from the network.

More than 1,300 private businesses are already part of this market.

Kosovo's Economic Oda has said it will continue the battle through the legal means it has made available.

“Against this decision, OEK requires the Energy Regulatory Office not to take other actions that would harm businesses, which have already been damaged by ZRRE decisions that have gone to the expense of the country's economy and impacted on the expensive livelihood of citizens of the Republic of Kosovo”, this institution said through a media communicate.

Oda has warned that it will consult with businesses in the coming days to consider the next steps.

Even the Chamber of Commerce and Industry has said it will use all legal mechanisms to counter the decision.

According to her, the “court had enough evidence and clear arguments for the violations made, which were repeatedly presented at each meeting with the institutions, but unfortunately were not taken on the ground”.

In Kosovo, liberalisation of the energy market is envisioned with the Law on Electricity adopted in 2016, but implementation has been delayed because of various circumstances.

In the countries of the European Union, the process of liberalising the energy market has started in the late 1990s with the aim of increasing competitiveness, efficiency, security and choice for consumers.

In the Western Balkans, this process is still under way. / REL/