Bozinovska: The new Energy Law accepts all good European practices

The new Energy Law is implementing the European AKI and transposing the clean energy package, which means that everything is a good practice from the European Union, Energy, Mining and Mineral Minister Sanja Bozinovska said today.

-There are many innovations in the law, and the most important thing for the citizens is that there will be new smart electricity meters, 80 % of which should be purchased in eight years, and 100 percent to be purchased in 10 years. This does not mean that you will have to wait until the last to change the existing ones with their smart meters, but they will be gradually purchased – Minister Bozinovska said at today’s meeting with JPP Matka journalists.

She pointed out that the law also provides for the formation of civic communities for the production of electricity from photovoltaics in apartment buildings, electricity storage batteries, all new energy facilities that generate electricity from renewable sources will have to have batteries for storing 20 percent of the energy produced…

– A methodology for energy poverty is also introduced. There will be fiscal and non -fiscal measures which means that those who do not pay electricity cannot be excluded in winter. As a ministry we already have two programs to help citizens – said Bozinovska.

He emphasized that for the first time the concept and mobility of charging electric vehicles for which customs rates have already been reduced. In addition, the electricity supplier will be able to change in 48 hours, there will be a 10-year investment plan and MEPSO is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Energy.

Electricity Director Saso Saltirovski pointed out that changing the meter with a smart is a continuous process and is not something that begins after the new energy law passes.

– We have already installed about 200,000 meters that read remote. This process is continuous and will continue in the coming years. We are also thinking about the introduction of some new technologies and for that purpose we have already set up a project that explores the best European practices in detail that the process will continue. In accordance with the obligation of the law, a study will also be developed in which the technical details of the smart metal project will be precisely defined. I expect that to be completed in the coming months and to involve all stakeholders such as ERC, the Ministry of Energy and the public – said Saltirovski, adding that he expects this process to end by the end of the year.

Immediately thereafter, he added, would have started purchasing the meters with the new criteria.

– We are continuously changing the borilla and currently have a tender for the purchase of about 150,000 meters with remote reading, which means that it will only be an extension of what we are already doing. The first new borilla, according to new technology, is expected to be installed in about two years, as the tender procedure takes about a year – Saltirovski explained.

There are about 900,000 meters in the country, of which 80 to 85 percent are read, and others are unavailable for reading and are given lump -sum (estimated) accounts. There are about 5,000 remarks per month for the amount of accounts, and 150,000 meters have 3 % correction requests.

As Saltirovski said, the change of meters will not go directly to the expense of consumers and almost at all to feel at the height of the accounts.

« The change of meters will not have a significant impact on the price of electricity, because we are actually doing so right now, » Saltirovski said.

MEPSO Deputy Director Aleksandar Paunoski said that the batteries would allow greater flexibility of the power system and easier management of the system in rapid changes in electricity production. They will help, as he said, even electrodes to be flexible, not just MEPSO, adding that both companies will function as partners.