North Macedonian state-owned power utility ESM said that it will sign an agreement for the supply of 90,000 tons of coal for thermal power plant Bitola from Albania.
The statement from the company said that a total of 14 bids were received at the coal supply tender, however, in many cases the calorimetric value of coal did not match the specifications, the offers were not financially favorable or were not valid. For that reason, the tender for the supply of coal for TPPs Bitola and Oslomej will remain open by the end of the winter season. A total of 810,000 tons of coal for TPP Bitola and 170,000 tons for TPP Oslomej is needed.
ESM said that it will also increase the production of coal from its own mines, which will ensure the security of supply during the winter season. Currently, TPP Bitola has around 200,000 tons of coal in stock.
Last week, ESM agreed to purchase 130,000 tons of coal (out of planned 300,000 tons) for the operation of thermal power plant Oslomej. Coal will be supplied by a local company from Berovo and a company from Kosovo.