Skopje, 4 October 2023 (MIA) – The energy transition happening on a global, European, and Macedonian level, as well as the ways to implement a just, equal and fair energy transition for everyone involved, are the key aims of the Energy Community’s Just Transition Forum held Wednesday in Skopje.

“North Macedonia is in the process of transforming its energy sector in many aspects, as is the case with the installation of photovoltaic power stations, and wind parks. This is only the beginning of the transformation that will definitely alter the country’s energy mix. The Just Transition Forum is precisely where we will discuss how all impacts of the transformation can be designed in an acceptable way for the country’s population to feel as a winner, together with the entire country,” Deputy Director of the Energy Community Secretariat, Dirk Buschle, told MIA before the Forum.

Buschle stressed that putting a price on carbon emissions is a reality throughout Europe and in many parts of the world.

“It is an expense for the power plants that work on fossil fuels, which pollute, and it is a signal for them to reduce their emissions of greenhouse gases which is important for any transition, while at the same time encouraging the wish to seek alternative sources of energy. This is the goal of the implementation of a carbon tax. At the Energy Community we believe that there are many good reasons for a coordinated implementation of such a tax in the region. We value the fact that North Macedonia is a leader in this field,” said Buschle.

The Just Transition Forum, he added, is a good place to discuss such a tax, and not only because it makes energy production from fossil fuels more expensive.

“Maybe it will result in social and price effects, but it will help accelerate the transition and investment in smart projects, in renewable sources of energy that will contribute to North Macedonia’s implementation of the energy transition in a better way,” said Buschle.

In his speech at the opening of the event, Buschle said the just transition begins in the energy sector, but affects many other sectors. “The politicians,” he added, “should create a vision about where they will go, and how fast they will go, as well as over the steps they will take towards the transformation as an important tool for channeling and attracting the investments necessary for a just energy transition.”

The Energy Community Secretariat’s Deputy Director noted that the choice of Skopje as the location of this year’s Just Transition Forum is no coincidence, because, he said, North Macedonia is a place where the green transition is already visible.

“Perhaps it isn’t very visible and discussed with the population, but the country is definitely a leader in replacing coal-produced energy with energy produced using renewable sources,” said Buschle.

The State Secretary at the Macedonian Ministry of Economy, Razmena Cekic-Durovic, stressed that decarbonization is at the heart of the European Union’s policy.

“North Macedonia has a responsibility when it comes to climate change, and it should comply with EU policies, and this means reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” said Cekic-Durovic.

The State Secretary noted that decarbonization is one of the pillars of the country’s National Strategy for energy development by 2040.

“Decarbonization in our country consists of four aspects. The first is the closure of the Oslomej and Bitola thermal power plants and ending the production of electricity from coal, the second is increasing the share of renewable sources of energy, the third one is the reduction of dependence on energy imports, and the fourth one is the protection of forests,” said Cekic-Durovic and said the country has made significant progress in terms of decarbonization.

The Energy Community is an international organization which brings together the European Union and its neighbors to create an integrated pan-European energy market. 

The Forum in Skopje consists of four panels that will focus on the efforts to address the key aspects of a just transition – planning and implementation; policies, people, and environment; and financing.

Фото: МИА