PROGRAM OF GOVERNMENT 2017-2020 The government will subsidize energy insulation of buildings, with 20% of total investment. The grants will secure up to 70% energy savings, reduced costs, reduced electricity imports and increased workload and number of employees in manufacturing and contracting companies. Energy The Government aims at regaining Macedonia’s long-gone energy security and stability, to reduce energy costs and energy poverty, and turn solar power an important source of household energy. The Government will provide energy access to all citizens and enterprises. We will stimulate innovative solutions, advanced technologies for energy production, reduce the share of fossil fuels, and increase the production of renewable energy. Reduction of energy imports will result from combining energy efficiency and energy savings, rational production of own energy and meaningful participation in regional and international electricity, natural gas and oil derivatives markets. The Government will support rational production of electricity by conversion of TEC Negotino power plant into an energy and agricultural facility, construction of HEC Chebren and HEC Galishte, optimal utilization of Pelagonija’s coal basin, and implementation of modern environmental standards in the TEC Bitola and TEC Oslomej. The Government’s project for TEC Negotino will provide cheap energy for agricultural enterprises and thus contribute to their competitiveness and export of early vegetables and job creation in agriculture. By building HEC Chebren and HEC Galishte, the Government will secure higher domestic production and reduce imports of expensive energy. With initiation of exploration of coal seams in the mine pit Suvodol and exploitation of coalmines in Zivojno and Vitolishte, the Government will extend the life of the backbone of the Macedonian energy sector, REK Bitola. With the implementation of modern eco-standards in the TEC Bitola and TEC Oslomej (installation of systems for reduction of emissions and desulphurization plants), we will reduce the emission of harmful particles in the environment in the Pelagonija and Kicevo regions. The Government will focus on meeting the power needs of the country with own production as well as improving working conditions and protection in energy companies. With the opening of the new coal pit Popovjani and modernization of TEC Oslomej, the Government will extend the production life of the plant and will provide new jobs in the Kicevo region. The Government will examine the feasibility for construction of hydropower facilities along the river Vardar in order to realize cost-effective projects quickly. Using the existing route of the 220 kV connection Skopje-Kosovo and announcements to build new production facilities in the region, the Government will focus on rapid construction of a new 400 kV connection to Kosovo. The Government will accelerate the construction of a new 400 kV connection Bitola-Elbasan to provide access to Albania’s transmission network and strengthen the transmission network in Bitola-Ohrid region. 46