Bekteshi reassures citizens of Skopje heating will be available as of Oct. 15
Skopje, 13 October 2022 (MIA) – Had the government not intervened in improving the liquidity of the Power Plants of North Macedonia (ESM), the electricity for the regulated market would have most likely been five times more expensive, Economy Minister Kreshnik Bekteshi said Thursday.
“Our commitment is that the electricity produced by ESM is among the cheapest in the region. However, had it not been for the government’s decision to oblige ESM to cover the losses in the MEPSO and EVN distribution network, the cost of electricity distribution would have increased, and thus the final bill paid by the citizens,” Bekteshi said in an interview with Kanal 5 TV.
He stressed that there are positive effects from the introduction of block tariffs for households, adding that precisely the households that save more now get lower bills for consumed electricity than for the distribution of electricity.
Bekteshi said he was satisfied with the management and employees of ESM who managed to increase electricity production by 20 percent with equipment that is over 40 years old. Therefore, he noted that he doesn’t expect an increase in the price of electricity at the beginning of next year.
The government in the past period has invested EUR 272 million for subsidies in heating and electricity in order to make prices more affordable for citizens.
“In times of crisis, everyone should show solidarity. Companies that have been making profits for years cannot expect subsidies for electricity,” Bekteshi said, announcing that as of December 1, companies that produce basic food products will receive support.
He said the citizens of Skopje can be calm because they will have heating in their homes on October 15 and it will remain so throughout the heating season.
“As of October 15, the Istok and Zapad heating plants will produce 100 percent of the heating energy needs for the city of Skopje if the TE-TO power plant doesn’t operate. Also, if TE-TO cannot provide gas, this can be done by the state through ESM, which is in charge of managing the production and distribution of heating energy for Skopje,” Bekteshi pointed out.
In terms of providing gas, he added, it has been agreed with Bulgaria to increase pressure in the gas pipeline from the current 36 to 48 Bar in order to increase the flow of the gas pipeline. He noted that this is done in order to make efforts to supply gas from sources other than Gazprom, which has until 2030 fully leased the current capacity of the gas pipeline. Bekteshi noted that the construction of the gas pipeline with Greece will begin by the end of the year.
