Skopje, 17 November 2022 (MIA) - Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Fatmir Bytyqi addressed Thursday via video a conference on just energy transition and how coal-based energy production should be gradually replaced with renewable energy sources as well as implications on energy security and the workers. The conference is organized by the EU-funded project "Just transition diagnostic", implement by the Greek consultancy company PLANET, Bytyqi's office said. Just transition is the reasonable choice of every government, said Bytyqi. "The choice is inevitable if we see the macroeconomic surrounding and the middle-term to long-term energy trends on the global market. What we need to plan is how to replace the coal-related jobs with other ones. The goal is to leave no one behind and how to replace coal-produced energy so as to ensure continual supply safety with the lowest prices," said the Deputy PM. According to him, it became evident that renewable energy sources are becoming cheaper. Also, Bytyqi said, there are a number of countries that introduce carbon tax and prices aiming to increase the competitiveness of economies based on renewable sources compared to fossil fuel-based economies, such as North Macedonia's. "It is our national interest to heighten the inclusion of renewable energy sources in our energy mix as soon as possible in order to remain competitive. This has become more urgent after the Russian invasion of Ukraine and surging prices of key fossil fuels as a consequence," he stated. According to Bytyqi, renewable energy sources must increase as soon as possible and it must be invested on energy storage, including in green hydrogen, as well as in networks providing clean energy all the time "even when the sun doesn't shine and the wind doesn't blow." "With enough support, North Macedonia could become an example for just energy transition not only in the Western Balkans but also beyond," the Deputy PM concluded.