Skopje, 10 November 2022 (MIA) - The government on Thursday warned that unplanned outages are possible in the coming period due to the energy production capacities being overwhelmed, the weather conditions and the increased electricity consumption. The situation is being monitored and the citizens will be informed on time about the measures being taken. "We have to have in mind that the country at the moment has energy capacities that are over 50 years old. Due to the weather conditions and the increased electricity consumption, these plants will be further overwhelmed, which could lead to unplanned outages. The situation is being monitored day by day and the citizens will be informed on time about the measures being taken," Viktor Andonov, energy advisor at the PM's office, said. ESM, the national energy production company, he said, yesterday produced 10,756 megawatt hours of electricity with 7,800 being produced by thermal power plants and the rest, 2,956, produced by renewable energy sources, namely hydropower plants and the wind park. "It was announced that 2,400 megawatt hours are provided after procuring electricity," Andonov said. The government aide once again called for energy to be saved. "Citizens, companies and institutions should pay more attention to saving electricity. We have to be careful, rational and responsible," Andonov urged. Speaking at today's news conference, he called on businesses in the food industry and educational institutions to apply for subsidized electricity secured through the company ESM Sales. Under a government's decision, the food producing sector, namely businesses that produce basic foodstuffs, milk, meat, bread and cooking oil will get electricity costing EUR 80 per megawatt hours in order to reduce the price of basic products.