Director Artur Lorkowski and Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs of North Macedonia, Fatmir Bytyki, agreed to step up cooperation to accelerate the just energy transition during their meeting in Skopje on 31 May. The meeting coincided with the adoption of the final National Energy and Climate Plan by the Government of North Macedonia, following the Secretariat’s recommendations.
Director Lorkowski said: “I congratulate the Government of North Macedonia for setting a clear energy transition pathway by adopting the National Energy and Climate Plan. This reflects the country’s dedication to decarbonisation and transformation of its economy and energy system to face the new challenges of the 21st century. Today, we agreed that the Energy Community Secretariat will be a strong partner for North Macedonia to advance a socially acceptable energy transition, aligned with the ambitions of the European Green Deal. North Macedonia can count on the Secretariat’s hands-on support.”
Deputy Prime Minister Bytyki said: “North Macedonia remains committed to its obligations under the Energy Community Treaty and the Paris Agreement, despite the challenges posed by recent developments. The Government’s adoption of the Energy and Climate Plan testifies to this. Moreover, several large and strategically important renewable energy projects that will ensure our energy security and diversification away from fossil fuels are underway. We look forward to enhanced cooperation with the Energy Community Secretariat to make the just energy transition a reality.”
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During his mission to Skopje, the Director also met with the State Secretary in the Ministry of Economy, Razmena Cekic Duroviq, Head of EU Delegation to North Macedonia, David Geer, the President and Board members of the Energy Regulatory Commission and directors of electricity and gas companies. The meetings focused on the state of energy sector reforms in North Macedonia and advancing the decarbonisation agenda in the face of the current situation on the energy markets. Director Lorkowski invited all stakeholders to actively engage in an inclusive process of setting 2030 targets for energy efficiency, renewables and greenhouse gas reduction in 2022.
The Director was accompanied by Deputy Director Dirk Buschle and Senior Energy Lawyer Rozeta Karova.
During his visit, the Director addressed the Skopje Economic and Finance Forum on the energy and green transition in North Macedonia. During his intervention, Director Lorkowski underlined that the present energy crisis is no reason to pause the energy transition but rather it reflects the urgency of accelerating the uptake of energy from renewable sources and phasing out of fossil fuels. Continued energy market reforms were needed to make the sector fit for the energy transition.
Source: Energy Community
