Business sector’s demands over electricity accepted, to take effect as state of energy crisis is declared
Skopje, 27 July 2022 (MIA) – Almost all of the business sector’s demands over the electricity have been accepted and will take effect as of August 1, with the implementation of the already announced state of crisis, Economy Minister Kreshnik Bekteshi said Wednesday after a working meeting with representatives of the Macedonian Energy Association (MEA) also attended by Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) president Marko Bislimovski.
Some of MEA’s key demands, explained in detail by the Economic Chamber’s deputy president and MEA chairman Kocho Angjushev, include “green energy” to be intended only for the industry, the government to provide guarantees that over the winter the neighboring countries will not close the borders for electricity flow and communicate about this with Serbia and Bulgaria, increase the production of electricity, i.e. have TPP Negotino and Te-To work during the winter, and crude oil to be released on the free market, as well as enable facilities from the light, non-polluting industry install photovoltaics more easily and legally because the industry only has that opportunity to defend itself against the electricity price shock.
Angjushev called on institutions to enable some 40 installed megawatts in photovoltaics and small power plants to connect to the electricity system as soon as possible, underlining that each megawatt is of extreme importance.
Minister Bekteshi said the government received last week the Chamber’s proposals and they have already been reviewed by the institutions, and talks have also been held with the ERC.
“Most of the measures are acceptable and will begin to be implemented immediately, from the beginning of August, with the declaration of a state of energy crisis, because only then will the government be able to take decisions and respond to the needs of the economy. Our expectations are that REK Bitola will operate with its three units as of October, Oslomej will operate at half capacity, and the delivery of crude oil from Greece to TPP Negotino has begun,” said Bekteshi.
After urging the citizens to save electricity, Bekteshi also called on the opposition to be constructive and enable the implementation of measures to support the economy.
ERC president Marko Bislimovski affirmed that all of MEA’s demands are acceptable to the ERC.
“Some of the demands are already implemented, and some will be implemented in the coming period,” said Bislimovski.
