Hundreds Kosovo Businesses Protest Electricity Market Liberalization, Price Surge

Kosovo's recent decision to liberalize its electricity market—requiring businesses with over 50 employees or annual turnovers above €10 million to purchase power from the open market starting June 1—has sparked widespread protests among business owners, who face potential tripling of their electricity bills. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Kosovo has filed a lawsuit against the Energy Regulatory Office (ERO), criticizing the decision as rushed, arbitrary, and lacking proper stakeholder consultation, while warning of risks such as monopolistic supply by a single company, KESCO, and threats to financial stability and jobs. Despite protests blocking major roads into Pristina, Prime Minister Albin Kurti insists that delaying the reform would merely shift costs to households and emphasizes the move as essential for market liberalization and Kosovo’s EU membership aspirations. Business leaders request a transitional period to implement self-generation solutions like solar panels and battery storage, but the regulator has not agreed to such delays. Both the Kosovo Chamber of Commerce and the American Chamber of Commerce have expressed concerns that the abrupt liberalization could severely impact economic activity, employment, and competitiveness. The business community vows to continue protests until their demands for a fair, transparent, and manageable transition are met.