Skopje, 18 October 2024 (MIA) – Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said Friday he doesn’t expect significant energy market shocks in the country despite some European countries saying they expect to face issues this coming winter.

“As for energy market turbulences in Europe, I was one of the first people saying as early as this summer that as winter will be approaching, Ukraine will be taking energy from the market in Europe because, unfortunately, the energy supply system in the country is completely devastated due to the Russian aggression. It will affect energy prices on stock markets to rise,” Mickoski stated speaking to reporters after a ground-breaking ceremony for a new elementary school in Skopje. 

Yet, he noted that he doesn’t expect the country’s market to experience any significant shocks.

“The capacities at the disposal of the country have been prepared ahead of the heating season and I don’t expect us to see any significant shocks of the market,” Mickoski reiterated adding that the resources of the power plants, including REK Bitola, are at a level that is expected for this time of the year. 

Two out of REK Bitola’s three blocks are in operation now and the third one will be put into service in the second half of December, according to the PM.

Regarding consolidation of the energy supply system, he said it was decided not to transfer money to the company ESM to pay its debts.

The new management will consolidate the company, Mickoski stated. “This is the goal. The loan that was taken will be used to pay overdue debts inherited from the previous management, worth over five billion denars.”

“We aim to consolidate the public sector and the country from what was inherited from the previous government led by SDSM and DUI,” PM Mickoski said noting the process is gradual. 

Photo: MIA