North Macedonia declares state of energy crisis

The Government of North Macedonia has declared a state of energy crisis to secure electricity supplies to consumers in the country. It will last 30 days.

The state of energy crisis was declared due to electricity shortages on the domestic market, caused by occasional outages of major production facilities, lack of coal for the production of electricity, and the inability to prevent possible outages with reserves in the electricity production sector, the government said on its website, adding that the said issues could disrupt the stability of the electricity system in the country.

State companies ESM, and MEPSO will get EUR 65 million for electricity imports

The government’s decision enables measures and activities to be taken, including financial intervention to purchase additional quantities of electricity. It determines the rights and obligations of state-owned power producer Elektrani na Severna Makedonija (ESM) and transmission system operator MEPSO.

The government’s intention is to enable the transfer of budget funds to these companies.

It is estimated the two companies will get a total of EUR 65 million, mostly for electricity imports, according to the local media.

The government is preparing measures to help the poorest consumers

ESM is obliged to submit a package of measures within 15 days to counter the energy crisis. The Ministry of Labor and Social Policy, in coordination with the Ministry of Economy, will prepare measures to safeguard the socially vulnerable categories in terms of energy poverty, the decision reads.

The government also told the Ministry of Economy to propose a solution for state institutions to purchase electricity from ESM at lower prices than those on the market.