Skopje, 20 October 2022 (MIA) – Power Plants of North Macedonia (ESM) expects several offers for gas procurement on Friday, with 225 million Nm3 sought for six months to cover Skopje’s three heating plants and cogeneration plant TE-TO, said ESM director Vasko Kovachevski on Thursday. Kovachevski expects an acceptable offer, at least for the heating plants, and that contracts should be signed by next Tuesday. Otherwise, diesel fuel is the alternative. “Skopje citizens should not be concerned at all because heating will be available. If necessary, as last resort, state reserves would be activated,” said Kovachevski. He added that the basic criterion when reviewing the offers would be the lowest price and a guarantee that six-month quantities would be delivered. “Diesel fuel is the alternative if gas is not delivered. We have procured the necessary diesel pumps, we are repairing the system that previously operated on mazut. The pumps will be mounted and we will be prepared on November 1 if the gas fails to arrive. We will announce a public procurement for the diesel quantities, while state reserves are available as well. We will be prepared next week and certainly before November 1,” said Kovachevski. According to him, it would be good to cover the gas quantities of TE-TO by the end of the month so that the plant delivers both electricity and heating energy.