The citizens of Kosovo are not saving electricity, despite the calls of campaigns from the country's institutions and authorities for energy, said Viktor Buzhala from the Kosovar Electricity Distribution Company (KEDS), on Wednesday on the "Today" show on KTV.
He warned that with this trend, the winter will be even more difficult than earlier predictions.
"Unfortunately, electricity in Kosovo is not being saved, despite the big campaigns that have been made. This had no effect because during September this year compared to last year, consumption was not smaller, but larger by 5 percent. This is a warning that there will be an even more difficult and unpredictable winter than we anticipated. All Europe is in crisis and unpredictable situation. And when even the largest European economy like Germany is affected by this crisis, the impact on us will be much greater", said Buzhala.
He said that everything depends on the savings made by the citizens. If the energy is used for heating, according to him, there will be a need to import energy and the crisis will be noticed.
"If we do not import and cover ourselves with local production, we are not affected by the crisis. Europe could be, but not us. Because the prices of local production are very favorable for citizens. We are talking about prices of 30-34 euros per megawatt, and those of import, now fortunately there is a drop of around 270-280, but in the forecasted version it is expected to reach up to 1000 euros per megawatt. So 30 times more", said Buzhala.
He called for savings, especially in heating and boilers.
"Saving is vital", said Buzhala, who emphasized that citizens are also safer heating with pellets or wood than with electricity.
Buzhala has justified the request for higher tariffs by saying that the anticipated expenses have been exceeded, due to the extremely high import price.
KOHA Group journalist, Sanie Jusufi, has commented on the Government's decision to subsidize families to save electricity. She said that the measures are late and that ceiling prices for wood and pellets cannot have the same effect, at the time when prices have reached their peak. He also described as discriminatory the decision that foresees subsidizing 10 families that spend more than 800 kilowatts per month, and not for the rest of society.
Yusufi said that it was not intended for collective buildings that are mainly heated by electricity and have no other options.
