The Ministry of Energy, Mining and Mineral Resources of North Macedonia and the National Electricity Market Operator (MEMO) participated in the second edition of the Electricity Market Integration Forum, held at the European Parliament in Brussels. The forum’s theme focused on implicit cross-border market coupling beyond the EU, bringing together over 100 representatives from regulatory bodies, power exchanges, and institutions across the EU and the Western Balkans.
During a panel discussion on expanding the European energy market by 2026, Minister Sanja Božinovska emphasized that integrating North Macedonia’s electricity market into the EU Internal Electricity Market is a strategic priority. She highlighted that the Ministry fully supports MEMO’s activities, viewing them as crucial for improving market liquidity, price competitiveness, and supply security.
Božinovska also pointed out the potential economic benefits of shielding from the financial impacts of the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), noting that timely integration could ease operations for North Macedonian businesses.
Recalling that the market coupling process began back in 2017–2018, the Minister stated that it is now in a delicate phase of transposing EU legislation and implementing the Market Coupling Operations Implementation Plan (MCO IP), under the supervision of ACER, the EU Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators.
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“Due to uncertainty around the impact of CBAM, it was imperative to achieve market coupling before 2026. Although we are now beyond that timeframe, it is realistic to aim for integration between Q4 2026 and Q1 2027”, she said, calling for intensified cooperation with the EU.
In the context of new energy policies, the Minister emphasized that the Parliament recently adopted a new Energy Law, fully aligned with EU regulations. This law lays the foundation for a modernized, clean, and just energy system, with greater inclusion of renewable energy sources and more active citizen participation.
“The creation of a dedicated Ministry of Energy and the adoption of this law demonstrate our commitment to reform. We are opening the market, reducing losses, and enabling greater participation of consumers and producers”, concluded Božinovska.
In her closing remarks, Minister Božinovska called on European partners: “The benefits are mutual – from energy security to economic growth. Only through enhanced cooperation can we build a stable, integrated European electricity system that benefits all.”
The Forum in Brussels marks another step toward faster integration of the Energy Community countries into the EU Internal Electricity Market, with the support of European institutions and partners.
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