The Government of North Macedonia has declared a seven-day state of crisis in electricity supply, citing disruptions in oil deliveries from Greece as the main cause.
The decision allows the state-owned power company ESM to use mandatory state oil reserves without compensation, the government said in a statement following a cabinet meeting in Skopje.
“This decision was taken due to the inability to secure oil supplies essential for electricity production,” the government stated, adding that oil reserves will be transferred free of charge, while ESM is required to report consumption levels to both the government and the Ministry of Finance.
ESM requested the declaration of a crisis after facing serious difficulties in securing lignite and oil supplies from Greece. The company attributed the disruptions to blockades imposed by Greek farmers at border crossings, which have significantly affected the delivery of key energy resources used for electricity generation.
According to ESM, the emergency measure is necessary to enable the use of state reserves and to ensure sufficient electricity production until border crossings resume normal operations.
Foreign media report that most of North Macedonia’s electricity is generated by ESM-owned thermal power plants, which rely heavily on lignite and oil.
Following the crisis declaration, Bulgaria offered emergency oil supplies to North Macedonia, according to the Bulgarian government’s information service. The offer was conveyed during a phone call between Bulgarian Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev and his North Macedonian counterpart Timčo Mucunski.
Greek farmers have been staging road and border blockades across northern Greece since late November, protesting delayed subsidy payments, low producer prices, and rising production costs. Protesters have blocked major highways, including the Athens–Thessaloniki motorway, as well as border crossings with Bulgaria, North Macedonia, and Turkey, disrupting international trade.
Farmers are demanding higher subsidies, tax relief, guaranteed minimum prices for agricultural products, and compensation for increased fuel and fertilizer costs. While some restrictions were temporarily eased during the Christmas holidays, protesters have vowed to intensify their actions afterward.
