Tetovo, 5 November 2021 (MIA) – Economy Minister Kreshnik Bekteshi said Friday the procedures of increasing the electricity output capacities has intensified and the formal decision on declaring an state of energy crisis is to be adopted shortly. “Two blocs of the mining-energy combine (REK) Bitola are operational and there are supplies for the coming days. The procedure of putting thermal power plant Oslomej into operation has already been completed, thus increasing the output capacity of Power Plants of North Macedonia (ESM). After injecting more funds into ESM and the Electricity Transmission System Operator of North Macedonia (MEPSO) to increase their liquidity, we will use other mechanisms through the Ministry of Finance, so they also produce electricity surpluses,” Minister Bekteshi told reporters. He said REK Bitola currently holds 40,000 tonnes in stock, with 3,000-5,000 tonnes produced on a daily basis and rising, while coal is continually imported from Kosovo for Oslomej’s needs. “In such crises, we aim to reduce the ESM output price because households and small consumers have a guaranteed price of EUR 36.1 per MW according to the Energy Law. We are doing this now so that electricity prices don’t go up as of January 1,” noted Bekteshi. The Commission on declaring a state of energy crisis met earlier today and formalized the decision, which the Government is set to adopt next Tuesday.