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Gramos Hashani appointed as permanent head of KEK in Kosovo

Kosovo Energy Corp. (KEK) has officially appointed Gramos Hashani as its Chief Executive Officer, following a fourteen-month period during which he served as interim head of the state-owned power utility. The decision was confirmed by the company’s Board of Directors after the completion of what it described as an open, transparent, and competitive selection process.

According to the board, the appointment procedure was conducted in full compliance with Kosovo’s Law on Public Enterprises and included the evaluation and interviewing of all candidates who satisfied the requirements outlined in the public vacancy announcement.

Hashani initially assumed the role of interim CEO in February last year, at a time when KEK was facing increasing pressure to improve operational efficiency, strengthen corporate governance, and accelerate modernization efforts within Kosovo’s electricity sector.

His permanent appointment is viewed as a move aimed at ensuring management continuity at one of the country’s most strategically important energy companies, particularly as Kosovo advances energy transition policies, regional market integration, and investment planning for generation and infrastructure upgrades.

Hashani graduated from the Faculty of Economics at the University of Prishtina – Hasan Prishtina and completed his master’s studies at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas, in the United States.

His professional credentials include certification as an accountant and internal auditor through the Society of Certified Accountants and Auditors of Kosovo (SCAAK), while he is also a member of the United Kingdom-based Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).

According to KEK’s Board of Directors, Hashani brings extensive expertise in strategic financial management, corporate governance, energy transition investments, and the implementation of international accounting standards, including IFRS and US GAAP.

The board also highlighted his professional experience across both the energy and financial sectors in Kosovo and the United States, where he has held senior management positions in international and domestic companies.

The appointment comes at a critical period for KEK and Kosovo’s broader energy sector, as authorities seek to modernize aging lignite-based generation assets, strengthen energy security, improve environmental performance, and attract investment into renewable energy and transmission infrastructure.

As Kosovo continues aligning its energy market framework with regional and European standards, KEK is expected to play a central role in balancing legacy thermal generation with the country’s long-term decarbonization and market reform objectives.

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Alarming rise in unpaid bills from electricity consumers in Greece

A steep rise in arrears was recorded last year in the Greek electricity supply market.

According to the latest report from the Regulatory Authority for Energy, Waste and Water (RAAEY or RAEWW), total debt for electricity rose by EUR 1 billion to EUR 3.4 billion in 2024.

It occurred despite a 10% reduction in retail electricity prices last year in the country.

Out of the total sum, existing customers owe EUR 1.74 billion to their suppliers. Another EUR 1.65 billion is debt by customers that have switched suppliers, leaving unpaid bills behind.

As for the EUR 1 billion of new debt, consumers in the mid-voltage account for EUR 400 million. They are large businesses and small industries. Another EUR 440 million is owed by various water utilities.

In December 2024, the Ministry of Environment and Energy passed a regulation subsidizing water utilities for EUR 200 million of their total debt. It means actual arrears in the segment were smaller, at EUR 240 million, but still sizeable.

Measures to reduce power theft

On top of increasing debt, the Greek market is also faced with a rise in electricity theft. In recent years, the phenomenon has worsened and is estimated to cost law-abiding consumers EUR 400 million per year.

The government and the regulator recently enacted strict fines to reduce theft. Offenders pay more than 100% over the normal power price for stolen quantities. The gradual installation of smart meters starting this year is also expected to help.

Suppliers warn of consequences

Power utilities must handle all the said liabilities. The Greek Energy Suppliers Association (ESPEN) has said that the issues indirectly increase power prices, as companies need to balance their budget through additional hedging and careful positioning.

ESPEN: Suffocating pressure as a result of high arrears

“The accumulation of large arrears causes suffocating pressure to the supply sector, raising prices and leading to negative effects for consumers,” it said.

Furthermore, suppliers asked the Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network Operator (HEDNO or DEDDIE) to waste no time in disconnecting consumers who owe money, in line with guidelines from the network code.