Street revolt due to electricity bills

Hundreds of entrepreneurs blocked on Thursday the roads leading to the capital Kosovo, Pristina, to protest a new directive that forces them to buy energy from the free market, which they claim could triple their electricity bills, reports Reuters.

The Kosovo energy regulatory authority has announced in March 1, that from June 1, all companies with over 50 workers or a turnover exceeding 10 million euros (11.29 million dollars) will no longer be protected by government subsidies that make Kosovo energy invoices in Europe.

The regulatory authority mentioned that this measure reflects its commitment to ‘market liberalization’, a condition for accession to the European Union.

But the companies complain that the finances will be affected.

And several arteries from Pristina were blocked by shots, trucks and workers in uniforms, while a powerful police contingent monitor the protests.

Shaqir Palushi, the owner of Frutex, a drink company, estimated that his annual energy bill will triple, reaching about 1.3 million euros, based on the figures he received from various suppliers.

« We are not against entering the free market, we only want a one year to make investments in solar panels and storage devices to produce much of our own energy, » he told Reuters.

Kosovo, one of the poorest countries in Europe, produces over 90% of its energy with two old charcoal plants, but is largely based on imports to cover annual deficits. Last year, the government bought electricity worth 114 million euros on the free market to fill the goal.

Prime Minister Albin Kurti, whose party came first in the parliamentary elections in February, but failed to obtain the majority, did not show that he would give up.

« The fulfillment of their request to order longer do not solve the problem, but only transfer the costs of energy from 1,200 companies to your household invoices, » said the prime minister in a government meeting on Thursday, before protest.

Kosovo asked for accession to the EU in December 2022, Reuters recalls.