The Deputy Executive Director of KESCO, Ms. Rudina Heroi – Puka, in an exclusive interview regarding the liberalization of Kosovo’s electricity market and KESCO’s role in this transition, stated that the company’s goal was not only to prepare for potential clients, but also to support the entire business sector — even those who may not choose KESCO as their supplier.

The opening of the electricity market marks one of the most significant developments in Kosovo’s energy sector. Businesses with more than 50 employees or with an annual turnover exceeding 10 million euros are now required to operate in the open market and select their electricity supplier. This shift has generated a new wave of activity and demand, directly impacting licensed suppliers.

KESCO, as the company with the longest experience in energy supply and trading in Kosovo, has taken an active role in the process — offering not only supply contracts but also a transparent and educational approach for all businesses, regardless of whether they become customers or not.

To better understand the company’s preparations, challenges, and commitment during this transitional phase, we spoke with Ms. Rudina Heroi – Puka, Deputy Executive Director of KESCO.

What were the key steps KESCO took after receiving notice from the Energy Regulatory Office (ERO) about businesses entering the open market?

As soon as we received confirmation that a category of businesses would enter the open market, KESCO acted on multiple fronts simultaneously: we informed consumers about their rights and obligations, we prepared technical and administrative platforms to handle the requests, we trained staff specifically for this transition, and we structured tailor-made offers for interested businesses.

Our goal was not only to be ready for potential clients, but also to support the broader business community throughout this transition — even if they ultimately choose another supplier.

Have businesses turned to KESCO for information, given that you were previously their regulated supplier?

Yes, absolutely. We saw it as both a professional and ethical obligation to assist businesses in understanding the process. For many of them, this is their first time navigating an open energy market. Many of these businesses were long-time customers of KESCO, and even though the nature of that relationship has changed, our support does not depend on a contract — it comes from our institutional responsibility.

How strong has the interest been from businesses seeking to sign with KESCO?

Interest has been consistently high. So far, we have signed around 100 contracts, and we are actively working on dozens more. We’ve increased our operational capacity to handle all requests in time — especially as we approach the critical date of July 30, when KEK, the Last Resort Supplier, ends its temporary supply role.

Is this transition easy for businesses? How do you view KESCO’s responsibility in this context?

No, this hasn’t been an easy process for anyone. Businesses face new financial decisions, while suppliers must prepare for a sudden influx of customers. That said, this process is part of a broader EU-driven agenda for market liberalization and competition — and we, as a company, have long anticipated it.

That’s why it’s essential to be present, supportive, and transparent with businesses — helping them make informed and timely decisions.

What is KESCO Premium, and what role does it play in this process?

KESCO Premium is a dedicated service center for businesses operating in the open market. It offers tailored services — including professional guidance, market information, assistance with contract signing, and structured consultations.

Our office on Fehmi Agani Street in Prishtina is open to all businesses. We’ve also made our contact email bizline@kesco-energy.com available for electronic requests. Given the limited time, we kindly ask for businesses’ understanding so we can engage in organized and efficient communication — and respond to everyone within the necessary timeframe.

What guarantees or advantages does KESCO offer to businesses that choose to sign with you?

KESCO has the longest experience in electricity supply and trading in Kosovo. We’ve built our operations on principles of transparency, trust, and long-term partnership. Our staff is highly professional and well-versed in every aspect of the market.

We don’t just offer competitive prices — we offer reliability, security, and a customer-first approach. For many businesses, electricity is vital to daily operations, and we take that responsibility very seriously.

What happens after July 30?

After July 30, KEK — the Last Resort Supplier — will no longer provide electricity supply to deregulated businesses. This means that any business that hasn’t signed a contract with a licensed supplier (including KESCO) risks losing electricity access.

This is why the coming days are critical, and we encourage businesses to act without delay. At KESCO, we are working at full capacity to process all requests on time — to the extent of our ability and available resources.

That said, even after July 30, businesses will still have the right to choose their supplier in the open market. However, we strongly recommend that contracts be signed before this date in order to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply and avoid any risk of disruption to business operations.