North Macedonian state-owned power utility ESM did not receive any offers at the tender for the procurement of fuel oil for thermal power plant Negotino.
The tender for the procurement of 150,000 tons of fuel oil was concluded on 3 February, but since not a single offer was received, it was relauched the following day.
For the start of operation of TPP Negotino in December, 38,000 tons of fuel oil were obtianed through the public tender organized by ESM.
During the heating season, i.e. in the next four months, ESM announced that it plans to launch a new tender for the purchase of fuel oil. Only one licensed fuel oil supplier applied for the previous tender, out of a total of six operating in the country.
TPP Negotino has installed capacity of 180 MW, similar to one of the units of coal-fired thermal power plant Bitola, but only one boiler has been put in operation, despite previous announcements that the plant will operate at full capacity in order to increase domestic electricity production.
However, ESM did not publish the documentation detailing under what conditions and at what price the fuel oil will be supplied. Two weeks ago, the Government transferred 10 million euros to ESM, and this amount is, among other things, intended for the purchase of fuel oil for TPP Negotino.
