Alsat-M TV reports that the Government is preparing to push for a new energy price hike after New Year, of nine percent. If confirmed, this will hit households right in the middle of the heating season.

The TV station cites sources within the Government, informing that the costly purchases of electricity from abroad will be passed on to the consumers. The Government is now moving 65 million EUR to the public companies ELEM and MEPSO, so that they can continue to purchase electricity at the regional market and avoid disaster, as the main REK Bitola coal plant lacks coal and faces frequent equipment malfunctions and even fires.

The growing difference between the high purchase price and the maximum price at which ELEM and MEPSO can sell electricity to households in Macedonia will be covered by the funds approved today. The Government declared a state of energy crisis, giving itself allowance to order transfers of funds to the two companies.