Skopje, 15 December 2021 (MIA) – Under a government’s decision, ESM, the state-owned electricity producing company, has submitted a proposal involving EVN Home – the universal electricity provider – containing a price lower that the cost of electricity so as to cushion the price blow stemming from the global energy crisis and to prevent electricity price to rise further after January 1, 2022, Fatmir Besimi has said. On Wednesday, the Finance Minister said the government is monitoring developments on the European energy markets, how it affects prices and reactions are created accordingly. He mentioned that the government has already set aside five billion denars for ESM to increase its production, procure more coal and provide electricity and that the fuel oil-fired power plant TEC Negotino has been activated. “Around EUR 30 million is planned as part of the Green Development Program, aimed to help energy companies transition into energy renewable sources. It is expected to secure enough electricity with prices that will alleviate the effect on world stock markets,” Minister Besimi said when answering questions at today’s news conference. The Regulatory Energy Commission is the body in charge of deciding the electricity price after January 1, he added. In June, the government approved reduction of electricity VAT from 18% to 5%, which is valid until June 2022, when it will rise to 10% before returning to 18% in June 2023. Also, the government will award 1,000-denar vouchers monthly to 35,000 at-risk households and 9,000 low-income pensioners for electricity bills.