Skopje, 30 June 2023 (MIA) - Minister of Economy Kreshnik Bekteshi took part Friday at an informal meeting of the Energy Community, chaired by Albania's Deputy PM and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Belinda Balluku in Telepena, Albania.

The Ministers reviewed the plans and preparedness of energy systems of the member countries for the coming winter season, and the Energy Community's implementation of a decarbonisation roadmap. They also discussed energy topics, which are covered by the Treaty establishing the Energy Community, the Ministry for Economy said in a press release.

Minister Bekteshi said that North Macedonia's energy and climate policies are fully compliant with the European legislation and Energy community. He also noted that besides the energy crisis, the Government is actively working on transition into green energy, i.e. using the sun, wind and water to gradually change energy production from coal to renewable sources.

"Because more than 70 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in North Macedonia come from the energy sector, decarbonisation is one of the main pillars of the National Energy Development Strategy 2024, the National Energy and Climate Plans (NECP), Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), all adopted within the past couple of years.

North Macedonia's dependency on natural gas imports, as well as most fuels, makes the decarbonisation more vulnerable to turmoil at the coal, oil, natural gas and electricity markets, caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine," Bekteshi said.

As part of the obligations North Macedonia has undertaken in the decarbonisation process, the Oslomej and Bitola power plants will be closed which will stop coal-fired energy production, and in turn will increase the use of renewable sources in the energy sector, a process which is already started with investments into photovoltaic panels, and reducing the dependence on electricity imports.

"North Macedonia has achieved significant progress in decarbonisation and climate action in the national strategic and action documents on energy and climate. In accordance with the Energy Development Strategy, the renewable energy shares in the gross final energy consumption are expected to increase, reaching the 35-45 percent range in 2040," emphasized Bekteshi, adding that North Macedonia is strongly committed to ensuring energy security, diversifying energy supply sources, energy transition and investments in green energy. ssh/ik/

Photo: Ministry of Economy