Focus on Energy, 2010 - Karanovic & Nikolic

48FOCUS ON ENERGYPARTICIPANTS IN THE ENERGY SECTORRegulatory BodiesMINISTRY OF ECONOMYThe MoE, through its’ Department for Energy, is the most important state body and is responsible for energypolicy and the overall control of the energy sector in Macedonia. It has 4 distinct units covering theareas of fossil fuels, electricity, investments and renewable resources and energy efficiency. Besides thepreparation and enactment of laws and by-laws, the MoE is authorized to govern the reforms and the applicationof the strategies for the development of the energy sector. The MoE issues various authorizationsand permits, enacts annual energy balances and cooperates with international and domestic administrationbodies.ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSIONThe ERC is a regulatory body which is independent from the interests of the energy industry and governmentalbodies. The ERC was established in 2002 and it is composed of five Commissioners appointed bythe Parliament of Macedonia. The main competences of the ERC are to ensure: (i) the safe, secure, continualand quality energy supply to the final consumers, (ii) the protection of the environment and nature, (iii) theprotection of consumers and (iv) the promotion and protection of a competitive energy market based uponthe principles of objectivity, transparency and non-discrimination 1 . The ERC’s most important function isissuing, amending and revoking energy licenses and the regulation of the prices and tariff systems for differenttypes of energy.1 Source: ERC’s web-site: www.erc.org.mk