North Macedonia Launches Intraday Electricity Market as Regional Power Trading Evolves
North Macedonia has taken another significant step toward deeper integration with the European electricity market following the launch of its intraday power market by the National Electricity Market Operator (MEMO). The development represents a major advancement in the country’s electricity market liberalization process and strengthens operational flexibility within the regional energy system.
The official launch ceremony gathered senior representatives from the government, energy institutions, market participants, and international partners. The intraday trading platform and clearing infrastructure were delivered by Slovenia’s BSP Energy Exchange, continuing its cooperation with MEMO after supporting the establishment of North Macedonia’s day-ahead market. Intraday trading operates through Deutsche Börse’s M7 trading system, one of Europe’s widely adopted electricity trading platforms.
The introduction of intraday trading comes three years after the launch of the country’s day-ahead market and reflects the increasing sophistication of North Macedonia’s power sector. Intraday markets play a critical role in modern electricity systems by enabling market participants to adjust positions closer to the actual delivery hour. This improves balancing efficiency, reduces imbalance costs, and enhances the integration of variable renewable energy sources such as solar and wind.
Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski described the launch as evidence of tangible reform progress in the national energy sector. According to him, energy security and resilience have become strategic priorities for all European economies amid accelerating market transformation and geopolitical uncertainty.
“At a time when energy is one of the most critical issues for every country, our obligation is to create a system that is secure, competitive, and resilient to global challenges,” Mickoski stated during the event.
He emphasized that North Macedonia intends to actively participate in European energy flows and policy frameworks rather than remain on the periphery of the continent’s ongoing energy transition.
Minister of Energy, Mining and Mineral Resources Sanja Božinovska underlined that the intraday market is only one phase of a broader market integration strategy. She reiterated the government’s commitment to future market coupling with the European Union and the continued development of regional electricity trading mechanisms.
“This is just the starting point for our full integration into the European energy family,” Božinovska said, adding that authorities will continue advancing regional cooperation and aligning domestic market structures with EU standards.
MEMO Chief Executive Officer Zoran Gjorgjievski highlighted the operational significance of intraday trading in a rapidly changing electricity environment increasingly shaped by renewable generation and real-time balancing requirements.
“From today, our market not only plans for tomorrow – it operates in real time. The intraday market is a direct response to the dynamics of the modern energy sector,” Gjorgjievski noted.
He stressed that transparent and efficient price formation remains essential for optimal resource allocation, prudent investment decisions, and effective risk management across the electricity value chain.
Gjorgjievski also warned that emerging European regulatory frameworks, particularly the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), could introduce additional pressure on domestic electricity producers and potentially affect regional market liquidity. While supporting decarbonization objectives, he argued that the energy transition must remain economically sustainable and carefully managed to avoid undermining market competitiveness.
The launch of the intraday market is also viewed as an important preparatory step toward integration into the single European electricity market. Chairman of the Management Board of ADEX Group and CEO of BSP Energy Exchange Anže Predovnik said the project reflects strong institutional cooperation, strategic government support, and MEMO’s operational commitment.
“What lies ahead is integration into the single European market. Together, we will build a more connected and competitive future,” Predovnik stated.
North Macedonia’s intraday market currently includes 21 participants, demonstrating growing interest among regional traders and electricity companies.
According to Martin Martinovski, electricity and statistics expert at the Energy Community Secretariat, the operational intraday market strengthens North Macedonia’s role within the regional balancing framework. As integration with the EU electricity market progresses, the country could increasingly contribute low-carbon flexibility to neighboring systems while benefiting from cross-border balancing support.
Market growth figures indicate a rapid expansion in trading activity since the launch of organized electricity trading in the country. Trading volumes increased from 335 GWh by the end of 2023 to nearly 970 GWh in 2024, before surpassing 1.37 TWh last year. MEMO currently counts forty active market members, while first-quarter 2026 trading volumes were 19% higher compared to the same period a year earlier.
