How to Solve Kosovo’s Electricity Problems

By Zoran CULAFIC

Hello and welcome – from the studios of UN Radio in Kosovo….

Winter is here and the issue of electricity is once again a top issues among people in Kosovo. The Kosovo Energy Company – KEK - is trying to introduce a new policy for collecting money from its customers. In part the move is KEK’s method of lessening the enormous debt burden, estimated at nearly 200.000.000 euros.

NOTE: atmos people talking in a tavern

Bill collection and energy distribution is a common problem faced by those living and consuming electricity in Kosovo. From the collection side, energy users are simply not paying KEK for the electricity they use. This problem transcends ethnic confines. KEK management has adopted a stance that no repairs be made unless people agree to sign a contract to pay previous debts.

As a result, Kosovo wide is suffering electrical blackouts, and dozens of villages, both Serb and Albanian, have been without electricity for weeks. KEK says it is a matter of paying debts to finance the needed repairs – while critics of the policy claim, with no money or job prospects, how can payments be made.

In Caglavica, a Serb village a few kilometers from Pristina, people have lived completely without electricity for more than two weeks. Since 1999, Jorgovanka has lived outside of Pristina as an Internally Displaced Person. She works in a Medical clinic in Caglavica. Jorgovanka stresses that living in such conditions with small children is simply humiliating.

Jorgovanka

“It is very hard …we wash laundry in a pot, we take baths with the small pot … in darkness … children have no opportunity to watch TV. I have thrown away all the food from my freezer, we did not have a generator and no electricity and I have thrown away everything. I have hardly collected any storage food for the winter.”

The main concern for the Serb community in Caglavica – which some say is echoed in other Serb villages is the fact that politicians are not interested in finding a quick solution. Jorgovanka says we are living back in the 15 Century.

Jorgovanka

“In these 15 days without electricity you are the first to come and ask us about this issue. Noone visited us to ask us how we live… I mean everyone – KFOR, UNMIK and our politicians too. Noone came.”

Doctors are not able to do their job properly in Caglavica’s Medical clinic. For the last 15 days, medical staff has been unable to sterilize medical instruments; patients are undressing themselves for medical examinations in completely cold rooms. One nurse, Jasmina, said that Europe and the United States have a responsibility to visit and attend to such affected communities. Jasmina asserted it was there economic policies at play in Kosovo.

Sean Goldick, KEK director said their policy of not repairing damaged aspects of the electrical network is simply because only around 30% of consumers are paying their bills. KEK says the new policy is to encourage responsible customer payments. Serbian consumers represent only 4% of KEK’s total consumption.

Goldick

“At the moment KEK is loosing over 1.25 mil euro per week so it’s an terrible financial condition. And our force task is to stop that and to change it so that instead of taking money away from the Kosovo budget, KEK can actually contribute to the budget for the good of everybody living in Kosovo.”

For Kosovo’s Albanian consumers, polling suggests that most believe that prompt bill payment is the best solution to the crisis. Money paid will arguably secure the import of more electricity. Others like Hysen suggest more drastic measures.

Valon

“Unfortunately the debts have become big, The best solution I think should be that KEK should erase the debts and start everybody from zero and begin collecting from them.

Miroslav Markovic from Caglavica is a father of four adult children. All of them are studying at university and his monthly income is just 70 euros – social assistance he receives from the Serbian government.

Markovic

“I have four students in my home, the eldest daughter is finishing Medical faculty, she has two more exams to pass. How … I’d like just to greet and invite all of our officials … i.e. Kostunica, Covic, and all the others, to come here and to stay here in the village for one day or 48 hours. To see how we live.”

A vast majority of Serbs believe that there is enough electricity for everyone – many interviewed for this story say that KEK is trying to politicize the issue. Father of four, Markovic says there are no big factories around Pristina consuming vast amounts of electricity. He says before 1999 there were dozens of factories and still there was electricity.

Markovic

“Personally, I have no intention to pay electricity … at the moment no … but if they provide me with opportunity to go back to my working place and earn money – than I will pay it for sure. Just provide me with that and I’m going to pay.”

No electricity and no money translate to a very difficult winter for those living without. KEK says they are aware of the difficulties, but management is unwilling to change its “no repair” policy until non-paying customers begin paying off there debts.

UN Radio will keep you updated as the story continues to develop.