North Macedonia aims for market coupling with EU by first quarter of 2027

North Macedonia plans to finish market coupling with Greece and the European Union in the fourth quarter of 2026 or in the first quarter of 2027, according to Minister of Energy, Mining and Mineral Resources Sanja Božinovska.

“The integration of the North Macedonian organized electricity market into the Single European Market is of strategic importance for the country,” Sanja Božinovska stressed during the second edition of the Electricity Market Integration Forum – Taking Implicit Electricity Market Coupling Beyond EU Borders, held at the European Parliament in Brussels.

The coupling, in her words, would increase market liquidity and secure competitive prices and greater security of supply. It will directly impact economic stability and predictability, Božinovska added.

Additionally, the minister noted that integration with the European market could provide protection from the financial effects of the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which would bring significant economic benefits for North Macedonian companies.

The market coupling process began in 2017-2018

She recalled that the market coupling process began back in 2017-2018, adding it is now in a delicate phase, focusing on the transposition of EU legislation and the implementation of the Market Coupling Operator Implementation Plan (MCO IP) under the jurisdiction of the European Union Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER).

“Due to uncertainties surrounding the impact of CBAM, it was imperative for market coupling to occur before 2026. Although we are now beyond that timeframe, it is realistic to aim for coupling between the fourth quarter of 2026 and the first quarter of 2027,” Božinovska noted.

During the panel session dedicated to the expansion of the European electricity market by 2026, Božinovska engaged in discussions with high-level representatives from the European Parliament, ACER, regional power exchanges, and institutions from the Western Balkans.

Of note, a week ago North Macedonia adopted the Law on Energy.

It will bring numerous benefits including a liberalized electricity market ensuring fairer prices and more choice for consumers, the introduction of smart meters for more accurate consumption measurement, and daily insight for consumers into their electricity usage, according to the Government of North Macedonia.