Heatwaves Shift Attitudes on Air Conditioning in the Balkans

Amid intensified heatwaves, residents in Mitrovica and elsewhere in the Balkans are increasingly adopting air conditioning despite long-held mistrust. The rising demand is straining regional power grids, prompting calls for enhanced infrastructure and renewable energy sources. This shift is visible in the soaring import and installation of air conditioning units.

As temperatures rise, residents in the Balkans, including Mitrovica in northern Kosovo, are rethinking their stance on air conditioning. Despite concerns over its health impacts, the sweltering heatwaves have forced many to adopt cooling technologies.

The surge in air conditioning use is straining the region's power grids, already compromised by high winter consumption. In mid-July, Kosovo's energy supplier, Kesco, urged customers to limit usage, revealing that the country was importing one million euros' worth of power daily due to increased demand.

The situation is prompting experts to advocate for stronger electric grids and more renewable energy production. Nations such as Bosnia, North Macedonia, and Serbia, which rely on coal, face significant challenges, while Albania, dependent on hydropower, also grapples with summer shortages. The shift towards air conditioning reflects a broader trend driven by unprecedented weather patterns.

(With inputs from agencies.)