Heating season starts in Skopje
Skopje, 15 October 2022 (MIA) – The heating season in Skopje starts as of Saturday under the same terms as before, i.e. heating temperature of 21 C between 6 am and 10 pm, authorities reassure.
Economy Minister Kreshnik Bekteshi said Thursday the citizens of Skopje can be calm because they will have heating in their homes on October 15 and it will remain so throughout the heating season.
“As of October 15, the Istok and Zapad heating plants will produce 100 percent of the heating energy needs for the city of Skopje if the TE-TO power plant doesn’t operate. Also, if TE-TO cannot provide gas, this can be done by the state through ESM, which is in charge of managing the production and distribution of heating energy for Skopje,” Bekteshi pointed out.
In terms of providing gas, he added, it has been agreed with Bulgaria to increase pressure in the gas pipeline from the current 36 to 48 Bar in order to increase the flow of the gas pipeline. He noted that this is done in order to make efforts to supply gas from sources other than Gazprom, which has until 2030 fully leased the current capacity of the gas pipeline. Bekteshi noted that the construction of the gas pipeline with Greece will begin by the end of the year.
Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) president Marko Bislimoski said Friday all prerequisites have been met for tomorrow’s normal start of the heating season in Skopje.
He noted that ERC has granted three licenses for sale, supply and distribution of heating energy in the City of Skopje.
“ESM Sales has been given the license for regulated production of heating energy by 30 April 2023, ESM Heating Distribution got the license for distribution of heating energy for a period of 35 years, while the license for heating energy supply for a period of 10 years has been granted to ESM Heating Supply,” said Bislimoski.
He added that the heating season would begin as scheduled, on October 15, with all criteria and parameters valid as before.
“We urge ESM use the optimal operating regime in order to reduce fuel costs, whereas citizens are called to abide by the saving measures,” said Bislimoski.
