Skopje, 28 November 2024 (MIA) — Based on all studies, 60 percent of PM 2.5 and PM 10 particles come from burning fossil fuels for heat; it is not the citizens' fault – the living standard is what it is and people burn whatever they can to heat their homes because no one has given them an alternative, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said in response to SDSM MP Sanja Lukarevska's question at Thursday's Q&A session in Parliament. She asked why there were budget cuts for tackling air pollution and what happened to the government's announced billion and their Clean Air Plan.

"It is not true we have cut the budget," PM Mickoski said. 

"Should I tell you about the PM 2.5 and PM 10 particles around Negotino and mention the excise duties and taxes on fuel oil? I will not mention it, so you cannot say I am avoiding this topic." 

"I will not even mention the state in which you left the National Forests," Mickoski continued. "My personal priority is to design several cogeneration plants. We don't have the money and we will look for a partner to jointly invest in one in Skopje."

He said the planned cogeneration plant would supply district heating and produce electricity for Skopje's Drachevo, Lisiche, Gjorche Petrov and Volkovo, "to cover that part of the city that does not have heating and where people use whatever it is they use [to heat their homes]."

The prime minister added that it was impossible to make major changes in five months regarding Skopje's air pollution. He said the plan was to build cogeneration plants at least at four, possibly five, locations nationwide. mr/