North Macedonia Begins Integration into EU Energy Market

We are starting the technical process of integrating the Macedonian energy market into the European energy market, Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) chair Marko Bislimoski told the Belgrade Energy Forum (BEF) 2025, CE Report quotes Kosova Press.

Bislimoski said the new Law on Energy has been adopted, to be followed by the secondary legislation. The ultimate goal, according to Bislimoski, is to ensure European security and stability in transmission and distribution, as well as lower electricity prices for consumers, the ERC said in a press release.

"Passing the new Energy Law brings us to the final phase of reforms in this segment, which will start the country's final integration with the European energy market. First, there will be an intermediate phase in merging the regional markets. I am convinced that by the second quarter of 2027 at the latest, i.e. within two years, we will demonstrate local and regional capacity in taking all necessary steps to ensure that the country becomes part of the market of the European Union member states," Bislimoski said, adding that Macedonian citizens will have European energy security and stability, in sharing positive EU trends – such as lower prices and cushioning possible negative shocks.

A panel on "Integration of Western Balkans electricity markets into the internal European market through market coupling", held as part of BEF2025, discussed the need for the region to present a single, coordinated position at the upcoming meeting to be held on July 1 in Brussels.

"It is necessary to speak openly with Brussels, and together with the Energy Community, all countries in the region should create an action plan that will identify phases in introducing the carbon tax. We need to immediately implement the activities that we can do ourselves, and ask the EU for help in the segments where we will need financial assistance," said Bislimoski.

The 3rd edition of the Belgrade Energy Forum brings together top leaders in the energy transition to share insights and shape the future of energy, reads the press release.