Skopje, 14 November 2021 (MIA) – Finance Minister Fatmir Besimi insists that the government has been taking measures to alleviate the consequences from the energy crisis. Four billion denars have been already transferred to ESM, the state-owned electricity producer, to provide additional electricity, according to him. “To alleviate the consequences from the energy crisis hitting not only North Macedonia but also the region and beyond, appropriate measures are being taken. The government has declared state of energy crisis and efforts are made to provide additional electricity, including balancing electricity and active power reserves according to the decree,” Besimi has told MIA. Also, the Labor Ministry in coordination with the Economy Ministry are tasked with drafting measures to help at-risk households in an attempt to reduce energy poverty. “Such measure is under way, ensuring that a total of 45,622 beneficiaries from at-risk categories receive 1,000-denar compensation to cover heating costs. We also reduced electricity VAT from 18% to 5% for households in an attempt to prevent energy poverty,” Minister Besimi said. The situation is being monitored, he added, and stabilization is expected by mid-2022 at the latest worldwide.