Skopje, 12 November 2022 (MIA) - ESM, the national electricity producing company, has provided sufficient quantities of natural gas to secure the operations of the Istok and Zapad heating plants in Skopje from Nov. 16 until Nov. 30, 2022. Makpetrol company provided the gas paying EUR 1,345 per 1,000 nm3, ESM said. "ESM will continue providing gas for shorter periods of time in order to use the financial benefit from the dropping gas price on the market," it said in a press release.. The heating plants, stated the press release, will continue operating on natural gas throughout the heating season being the basic and most environmental friendly energy source. In the meantime, the system is being tested for the use of alternative fuel diesel, considered a backup solution in the event gas became unavailable on the market due to the geopolitical situation in Europe or gas became too expensive. Testing will be launched after all adequate permits from the competent institutions are secured.