Skopje, 6 August 2026 (MIA) - We are not contemplating an increase of the electricity price but looking for a formula to reduce it, unlike most European countries, said Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski on Thursday.

PM Mickoski told reporters that Macedonia has been successful in managing the challenges arising from the Iran conflict and the diminishing water levels of the Danube river, which have an impact on electricity prices.

"Our reservoirs are about 70 percent full, and we have nearly 500 GWh of accumulated electricity, which is sufficient to feel safe and comfortable regarding electricity supply for the citizens and the industry. Therefore, we won't panic or call for caution because we made sure to prevent this. I am pleased that we have gone through the irrigation season as planned and the reservoirs are 70 percent full, with hydro plants prepared to produce electricity," said Mickoski.

The PM referred to the ongoing realization of big capital projects.

"I hope we will soon have an opportunity to see first-hand the progress in the construction of the Alcazar wind park in the municipalities of Shtip, Karbinci and Radovish, a project worth half a million euros. We are planning for the next decade. Unfortunately, the challenges we inherited are huge, but we are solving them. Of course, we are criticized in the process. I am always ready for criticism and political debate, but I will always counter those who make up things and fabricate lies," said Mickoski.

He added that the country has had cheaper fuels by about EUR 0.5 compared to neighboring countries.

"The Iran war and the Hormuz Strait developments are, according to some observers, the largest energy crisis to date. Unlike other European politicians, we did not panic but calmed the citizens and maintained the price stability, offering the lowest fuel prices," said Mickoski.

Another aspect, he said, is Europe's second-largest river, the Danube, which water levels have been the lowest over the last 100 years.

"We can all see what is happening with the nuclear power plants in Romania, Czech Republic and Hungary, the hydro-potential of Serbia and Bulgaria, and all of this is putting pressure on the electricity price. Renewables can produce energy but it cannot serve as base energy, even if you have batteries installed. Nuclear power plants largely produce the base energy, while reservoirs are almost empty. We, on the other hand, have created a strategy and put mechanisms in place to prevent this from happening," underlined Mickoski.

Photo: MIA