Households in Kosovo could see their electricity bills double if a proposal by the Energy Regulatory Office (ERO) is approved.
The ERO suggested doubling the price of energy for households that exceed more than 600 kw per hour. If accepted, it would see the hike hit some 200,000 homes.
Data from the ERO shows that almost a third of Kosovo’s households consume more than 600 kw per hour in the winter months. Over 20% have exceeded this during the summer as well. The proposal will only impact families that surpass the threshold and will not impact businesses.
Should the rate increase, the high-energy tariff will be 14 cents per kilowatt and the low tariff will be 6 cents.
Kosovo has been in the grips of an energy crisis since late last year where the government announced a 60-day energy emergency and asked citizens to conserve electricity. As a result, scheduled blackouts have taken place across the country and bitcoin mining has been prohibited.
Furthermore, neighbouring Albania loaned Kosovo electric in December, asking them to loan it back in the summer months.
