Skopje, 18 September 2025 (MIA) - The Ministry of Energy, Mining and Mineral Resources has received a positive response from the Energy Community Secretariat on a draft version of a methodology to measure energy poverty. The Energy Community Secretariat's comment confirmed that the document is in line with European standards and obligations arising from Directive (EU) 2019/944, according to which countries are to establish and publish energy poverty criteria.  

This means that the methodology is fully acceptable for publication, and at the same time it represents the first such systematized document in the country that will enable real measurement and monitoring of this phenomenon, the Ministry said in a press release on Thursday.

"This methodology, for the first time, sets clear criteria for identifying vulnerable households - low income, high energy costs in the family budget and low energy efficiency of households. These parameters will be the basis for further annual programs for the protection of vulnerable energy consumers. The methodology is important because it will enable institutions to have a clear picture of the scope and structure of energy poverty in the country, will serve as a basis in creating targeted policies and measures to protect households that face most difficulties in securing energy and will contribute to alignment with European practices and standards, as part of the broader agenda for energy transition and social sustainability," reads the press release. 

The Ministry notes that work on next steps is already under way - preparing an annual program for the protection of vulnerable consumers, where the methodology will be a central tool in defining priorities and interventions.

"With this methodology, we will systematically measure energy poverty in the country for the first time. This will allow us to clearly identify the households that are most affected and create precise, targeted measures for their protection. Our goal is that no one is left on the margins. This is a strong step forward towards a fairer and more socially sustainable energy policy. With this, Macedonia takes a significant step forward in building a fair energy policy that cares for citizens and puts the social dimension of the energy transition in focus," said Minister of Energy, Mining and Mineral Resources, Sanja Bozhinovska. 

Photo: MIA