North Macedonia’s energy regulator joins ACER’s electricity working group

The Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) admitted the Energy and Water Services Commission of North Macedonia (ERC) to join its Electricity Working Group as observer. ERC is the second Contracting Party regulator to achieve this status following a positive assessment by the Energy Community Secretariat of the country’s compliance with Third Package requirements in the electricity sector and regulatory independence as well its environmental, competition, climate and renewables performance. 

“The agreement of ACER to allow the participation of ERC in its Electricity Working Group is a much appreciated award for the steady progress and continuous efforts the country and ERC made in reforming the electricity market and commitment to effective regulatory independence,” said Janez Kopač, Director of the Energy Community Secretariat.

“ERC is very much honoured by the positive confirmation of ACER. The possibility to participate in ACER’s Electricity Working Group comes at a moment when North Macedonia is heading towards electricity market integration with its EU neighbours. Tightening the cooperation with our EU partners and learning from their experience will support us in becoming part of the same internal electricity market,” underlined Marko Bislimoski, President of ERC and the Energy Community Regulatory Board. 

An Administrative Arrangement allowing ERC experts to participate in the ACER Electricity Working Group will formalize the observership status.