North Macedonia advances toward European guarantees of origin system as MEMO joins AIB

North Macedonia’s National Electricity Market Operator MEMO joined the Association of Issuing Bodies (AIB). It is a step toward integration into the European system for the issuance, transfer and recognition of guarantees of origin, enabling cross-border renewable electricity trade.

At the General Assembly of the Association of Issuing Bodies (AIB), North Macedonia’s National Electricity Market Operator MEMO became a member. Amid activities by the Ministry of Energy, Mining and Mineral Resources and the Energy Community Secretariat aimed at a mutual recognition of guarantees of origin (GOs) between the countries of the European Union and the Energy Community, North Macedonia is now one step closer to joining the European system for the issuance, transfer and recognition of the certificates, the announcement reads.

GOs are proof that electricity was generated from renewable sources.

North Macedonia working on accession to EECS

MEMO’s Chief Executive Officer Zoran Gjorgjievski – pictured here with AIB’s Secretary General Liesbeth Switten – and Head of the Renewable Energy Support Department Denko Rafajlovski attended the gathering. They sat with representatives of national issuing bodies, electricity market operators, regulators and institutions from several European countries that are members of AIB.

North Macedonia issued half a million GOs since their introduction in April of last year

“With MEMO’s membership in AIB, the Macedonian system for guarantees of origin is implementing the necessary procedures required for further accession to the European Energy Certificate System (EECS), which will enable secure, transparent and internationally recognized issuance and trading of green electricity certificates. Further integration of the domestic electricity market with the European energy market is of great importance, as it opens new opportunities for renewable electricity producers, suppliers and companies to demonstrate their use of green energy in line with European ESG and decarbonisation standards. Membership in AIB will contribute to increasing the trust, competitiveness and attractiveness of the Macedonian renewable energy market,” Gjorgjievski stated.

The national operator’s chief executive spoke last week in Serbia’s capital city at the fourth annual Belgrade Energy Forum – BEF 2026, organized by Balkan Green Energy News.

National registries are linked through AIB Hub

MEMO rolled out the electronic registry system for guarantees of origin in April of last year, in accordance with EECS rules and AIB standards. The operator cooperated with energy certificates firm Grexel in the project.

Since then, 500,000 guarantees of origin were issued, said Rafajlovski. Each represents 1 MWh of electricity from renewable sources and enables transparent tracking of the origin of energy – from producer to consumer, he explained.

“Guarantees are traded on open markets and represent an important instrument for promoting renewable energy, while also ensuring security and choice for consumers regarding energy sources. AIB provides the foundation for transparent and efficient transfer of green certificates between countries by connecting national registries through the AIB Hub. Last year, MEMO became an observer member of AIB as a first step toward full membership, which is a prerequisite for introducing guarantees of origin that will be recognized and traded within European Union member states. We continue to build a modern energy market aligned with European regulations,” said Rafajlovski.

AIB, headquartered in Brussels, is a European energy certification body, dedicated to ensuring transparency in the European energy market through the standardization of guarantees of origin. Cross-border trade in renewable energy is enabled when a country’s legislation and requirements are fully harmonized with the EU.