North Macedonia has published a draft Law on the Use of Energy from Renewable Sources, aiming to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels and increase the share of green energy. The act would introduce market premiums through two-way Contracts for Difference (CfD), to be awarded at auctions for electricity from renewable sources.
It also covers net metering and net billing for prosumers and defines renewable energy communities.
The Ministry of Energy, Mining and Mineral Resources of North Macedonia has invited citizens, experts and stakeholders to submit comments and suggestions regarding the new draft Law on the Use of Energy from Renewable Sources. The ministry noted that this area is being regulated separately for the first time, "following the example of many countries in the region and the EU." The public consultation process runs until 30 August.
According to the ministry, the most significant innovation is the two-way Contract for Difference (CfD), referred to in Macedonian as a market settlement contract for price differences. It has been proposed that such market premiums be awarded through auctions for renewable electricity.
The mechanism guarantees financial stability for renewable energy producers while protecting consumers from extreme price fluctuations, the ministry claims. The draft is fully aligned with the legal framework of the European Union, including the latest version of the Renewable Energy Directive, RED3.
Introducing green energy into heating, cooling and transport
The aim of the new measures is to reduce the use of fossil fuels and increase the share of renewables in gross energy production. The draft provides support for long-term investments and faster integration of renewable energy into heating, cooling and transport.
Guarantees of origin for electricity are included in the legislation, as well as a framework for international cooperation and energy markets. The draft also gives a legal basis for citizens, companies and other entities such as local governments to establish renewable energy communities. It also covers net metering and net billing for prosumers – "consumer-producers."
Apartment buildings can become prosumers up to 50 kilowatts
The ministry had previously announced that it would raise the upper limit of capacity for household prosumers to 10 kilowatts. The ceiling in the new draft is set at 10.8 kilowatts for a single household and 50 kilowatts for a multi-apartment building. The current version of the draft would also introduce the concept of a collective prosumer: groups of citizens and businesses from the same building or residential complex.
It is envisaged that prosumers with systems of up to 16 kilowatts will operate under a net metering mechanism. Net billing will apply to those between 16 and 50 kilowatts, while installations above that level will fall under a commercial supply scheme.
It should also be noted that prosumers operating active power plants with capacities exceeding 300 kilowatts would be required to cover balancing costs, according to the draft text.
(EUpravo zato/Balkan Green Energy News)
