Meeting participants agreed that the crisis is a reality and would go on for a while, requiring short-term and long-term solutions and involvement of all stakeholders responsible for management of the situation, where it is estimated that the time of cheap energy is slowly coming to an end.

Chamber president Brako Azeski hosted the meeting attended by Prime Minister Zoran Zaev and ERC President Marko Bislimoski.

“We welcome the decision over urgent import of coal for our power plants, which will raise production levels to the maximum, and companies are urged to take part in this public call that will extend their operations and result in cheaper energy for them and households,” said the Chamber.

Other modalities will also be discussed at a meeting scheduled for Friday, such as ensuring larger electricity quantities through Power Plants of North Macedonia at lower prices and a continued process of investing in renewable energy sources.

“The gas situation is expected to be stable until the end of the year, with negotiations for the coming year to begin by the end of October,” says the Chamber.

In addition, Deputy PM for Economic Affairs Fatmir Bytyqi also held a meeting with representatives of the Food Industry Association.

Azeski alarmed over the situation a couple of days ago, noting that the pandemic effects and electricity supply will be issues in the focus 24/7 in coming years. According to him, electricity prices at the Hungarian Power Exchange (HUPX) rose from EUR 57 per MWh on January 1 to EUR 137 per MWh on September 27. On the same day, the Chamber’s Agriculture Association alarmed that food prices are expected to rise by 40-50 percent, noting that the state can prevent this by undertaking specific measures that would soften the price blow on consumers, including through financial support for the processing industry.