Skopje, 25 October 2021 (MIA) – The Government said Monday the second bloc of mining-energy company (REK) Bitola has been activated as of today, towards ensuring stability of the power distribution system. The Government said in a press release that citizens should not fear of power restrictions because Power Plants of North Macedonia (ESM) has fully provided electricity quantities at EUR 36 per MWh amid four-fold higher global prices. ESM currently meets the needs of universal supplier EVN Home for household distribution. In addition, the country has already undertaken majority of the measures recommended by the European Commission to member-states in tackling rising energy prices. North Macedonia cannot affect global market developments and therefore invests efforts through ESM and output increase to secure additional quantities that will soften the price hike for companies, said the Government. As a result of the cooperation with the Economic Chamber, measures will be undertaken to increase production through ESM, thus protecting the economy and businesses. ESM is planning additional production to start in December 2021 up to April 2022 by releasing a public call for the procurement of coal for the third bloc of REK Bitola and REK Oslomej. This energy should further strengthen the energy system, while surpluses will be sold at the free market to Macedonian companies, added the Government. The activation of thermal power plant (TEC) Negotino is also contemplated, provided crude oil quantities are secured shortly. The trial period is set to be launched in the next fortnight, considering that the plant was last operational back in 2009. The Government assures citizens and businesses that the state will continue to act as partner of all stakeholders in finding solutions and maintaining the citizens’ well-being. The situation is closely monitored, all stakeholders in the sector are in regular communication for the purpose of reaching the most optimum solutions for the problem that originated at the global power markets, reads the press release.