North Macedonia to start issuing guarantees of origin in April

North Macedonia intends to start issuing guarantees of origin in April, said CEO of the National Electricity Market Operator – MEMO Zoran Gjorgjievski. He revealed the plan at a presentation of rules for administering guarantees of origin for electricity.

MEMO has adopted the rules for administering guarantees of origin for electricity in line with the Law on Energy, the guarantees of origin decree, and the standards of the Association of Issuing Bodies (AIB).

It is a significant step, laying the foundation of increased transparency and trust in the energy market in the country, the operator said.

MEMO is responsible for establishing and managing the guarantees of origin register, including issuing them, recording transfers, recognizing, revoking, and canceling GOs.

Božinovska: GOs are one of the main mechanisms in the EU for tracking and verifying the origin of electricity

Sanja Božinovska, Minister of Energy, Mining and Mineral Resources, noted that GOs are electronic documents providing the consumer with clear proof that a certain share or amount of the electricity it uses is generated from renewable sources.

“Guarantees of origin have been established as one of the main mechanisms in the European Union for tracking and verifying the origin of electricity. They not only promote environmental responsibility and sustainable development but also enhance transparency and trust between consumers and energy producers,” Božinovska stressed.

According to MEMO CEO Zoran Gjorgjievski, the company is working on implementing the guarantees of origin system in cooperation with energy certificates firm Grexel.

“We expect them to be finalized, and to officially start issuing them already from April,” he said.

In Gjorgjievski’s words, it is just the first step towards MEMO’s full membership in AIB and the issuance of GOs that will be recognized in the EU. It is important for domestic companies exporting to the European market, providing easier access for them to consumers who require certified renewable energy sources, he asserted.

Mitko Ognenoski, Head of the Renewable Energy Sources and Organized Electricity Market Department at MEMO, underlined that the rules are also aligned with the principles of the European Energy Certificate System (EECS). He added that it further guarantees the framework would be accepted in the European market.

The package covers the registration process for users in the guarantees of origin register, the technical aspect of GO issuance, transferring and cancellation, how data of public importance are published, and the rights and obligations of the users of the register.

Of note, in the Western Balkans, GOs are issued only by Serbia. Albania, the Republic of Srpska entity in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro recently made steps to join Serbia.