The Energy Regulatory Office (ERO) has published the initial applications of the companies KESCO, KEDS and KOSTT for maximum allowed costs and revenues for 2026.
KESCO is seeking a correction of over 49 million euros, while KEDS is seeking over 41 million euros, bringing the total to over 90 million euros, which would translate into a potential increase in energy tariffs of close to 21%.
After this proposal, reactions were not long in coming.
Energy and economic experts have warned that such an increase will hit families, businesses, and the manufacturing sector, calling for an analysis of the entire energy sector to protect consumers.
Vezir Rexhepi, an expert in the field of energy, has warned that any further increase in the price of electricity will severely hit families and businesses.
“Given the current economic situation, social situation and economic trends, further increases in the price of electricity will further impact households, family economies, businesses, services and the manufacturing sector,” he said.
He states that considering KESCO’s contracts with KEK, which account for around 80% of the total energy supplied by KESCO, a detailed analysis is necessary.
“Based on KESCO’s contracts with KEK for the purchase of energy, which accounts for about 80% of KESCO’s total energy, I consider that all energy sectors, KESCO, KOSTT, KEK and KEDS, should be thoroughly analyzed so that consumers have energy without an increase in its price,” Rexhepi tells Front Online.
Former Minister of Trade against 21% electricity increase: The ultimate burden falls on citizens.
Former Minister of Industry and Trade, Ismet Mulaj, has spoken out against KESCO’s warning of a possible 21 percent increase in the price of electricity.
He stated that energy is a basic need and any increase in price has direct consequences for citizens.
According to Mulaj, such a high increase would have a knock-on effect on family spending.
“Electricity is a basic need and any increase has a knock-on effect on household spending and the prices of products and services. Such a high increase can hardly be justified without first exhausting all opportunities for increased efficiency, reduced losses, better cost management and support from state institutions,” said Mulaj.
He has asked the Energy Regulatory Office to handle this proposal with utmost care.
“ERO should handle this proposal with utmost care and in the public interest, ensuring full transparency and protecting the consumer. Such high increases should not be the first solution, because the ultimate burden always falls on the citizen,” Mulaj declared.
Economics expert on electricity prices: Low-income families and pensioners will be affected.
Lulzim Beqiri, an expert on economic issues, in a statement given to “Front Online” criticized KEDS’ proposal to increase the price of electricity by 21%, describing it as a serious blow to the economy of citizens.
“KEDS’s proposal to increase the price of electricity by 21% constitutes a serious blow to the economy of citizens and especially to the most vulnerable groups of society. At a time when the cost of living has increased significantly and the incomes of most families are not keeping up with this pace,” said Beqiri.
Beqiri states that electricity is an essential service and any decision for growth must be made while respecting the public interest.
“Low-income families, pensioners and small businesses will find it increasingly difficult to afford basic expenses. Electricity is an essential service and any decision to increase prices must take into account the public interest, transparency and protection of citizens, and not just the profit of energy companies,” Beqiri told Front Online.
Lulzim Syla on the increase in electricity prices: ERO must be transparent towards citizens.
Energy expert, Lulzim Syla, has reacted to KESCO’s warning of a possible 21% increase in the price of electricity.
He states that this is just a request from the company and does not mean that growth will necessarily occur.
“Despite KESCO’s statements about such a proposal of a 21% price increase, this does not mean that such an increase must necessarily occur because this is a request from one of the companies that supplies electricity,” he said.
Syla has requested that ERO show more transparency.
“As a result of the problems that have occurred in previous years with the issue of increasing electricity, ERO should be much more transparent in the breakdown and attitude of any changes to citizens and businesses,” says Syla.
