Kosovo’s energy supply operator, KESCO, has issued an urgent appeal to citizens to reduce electricity consumption amid a significant domestic production shortfall from June 21.

In a Facebook statement on June 20, KESCO warned that, in the most extreme scenario, the entire electricity supply for consumers in Kosovo may need to be covered through imports. This would present serious technical and financial challenges, given the high costs of energy on international markets and ongoing logistical constraints.

“Despite these obstacles, KESCO is doing everything possible to secure the necessary electricity imports and maintain stability in the national power system,” the company said.

However, it stressed that importing such large volumes of electricity remains difficult and costly.

The operator is calling on all consumers to take immediate measures to save electricity. “Every kilowatt-hour saved helps maintain the stability of supply and reduces the overall cost, which would otherwise burden us all,” KESCO stated.

According to the update on June 21, domestic electricity production remains limited, with only Unit A3 currently in operation, generating approximately 110 megawatts. The remainder of the country's energy needs will be covered through imports, KESCO stated.

Electricity demand has risen sharply in recent days, largely due to increased use of air conditioning during the ongoing heatwave.

To meet the growing demand, KESCO has secured additional electricity from international suppliers and continues to work intensively to ensure uninterrupted service. Still, the operator emphasised that consumer cooperation is vital during this period.

In particular, KESCO urged households and businesses to use cooling equipment more efficiently, as this is one of the main drivers of peak electricity demand during summer months.

In the meantime, Kosovo’s acting Minister of Economy Artane Rizvanolli dismissed claims that Kosovo imports electricity from Serbia, responding to remarks made by Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) official Hikmete Bajrami.

“Stop spreading disinformation,” Rizvanolli wrote in a Facebook post. “What is being referred to as 'electricity imports' from Serbia, based on data on physical energy flows, is either deliberate misinformation or a misunderstanding — but it is not true.”

She clarified that since Kosovo established its energy independence in 2020, Serbia has blocked commercial electricity trade on the Kosovo-Serbia lines, making such imports impossible.