Skopje, 26 April 2023 (MIA) – One of the Government’s central commitments is to set up the country’s energy policies based on stable long-term green energy in order to enable conditions for sustainable economy growth, a healthy environment and new jobs, Minister for Environment and Physical Planning Kaja Shukova told Wednesday’s panel session on innovation and sustainable development held in Valandovo.

Shukova said in her opening address that the country aims to achieve the EU's climate goals.

“A number of key sectors must undergo changes in order to achieve a neutral Europe by 2050, as well as investments in clean and innovative technologies, support for the innovation industry, utilizing cleaner, cheaper and healthier forms of private and public transportation, decarbonizing the energy sector, securing energy efficiency for facilities, as well as cooperation with international partners to improve global environmental standards. This has been addressed in many documents adopted in this sphere, and the new Energy Law and the draft Climate Action Law have harmonized with EU legislation,” Minister Shukova said.

Minister Shukova also added that the state is stimulating the use of solar rays to produce electricity, and that the country is undergoing its first energy transition with the construction of two 50 MW plants and two 10 MW plants.

Around 10 energy projects for renewable energy sources are under construction as well, Shukova said.

Valandovo Mayor Pero Kostadinov said Valandovo has been reviving this forum year after year as its host, as a possibility to develop support and exchange knowledge and experiences on a local, national and regional level.

Experts, representatives of the executive branch, civil organizations and the business sector, as well as representatives of the Croatian and Serbian business communities attended the forum, which was organized by the Municipality of Valandovo in cooperation with the Friedrich Ebert Foundation. dk/nn/

Photo: Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning