MEMO Participated in the Belgrade Energy Forum 2026: Focus on CBAM, Regional Integration and the Intraday Market

11 May 2026, Belgrade – A delegation from the National Electricity Market Operator – MEMO participated in the Fourth Belgrade Energy Forum (Belgrade Energy Forum – BEF 2026), organized by Balkan Green Energy News.

The event officially opened with a welcome address by Branislava Jovičić, founder and editor-in-chief of Balkan Green Energy News and CEO of the Belgrade Energy Forum.

Opening remarks were also delivered by Serbia’s Minister of Mining and Energy, Dubravka Đedović Handanović, the Director of the Energy Community Secretariat, Artur Lorkowski, and the Minister of Energy, Mining and Mineral Resources of North Macedonia, Sanja Božinovska.

MEMO’s CEO, Zoran Gjorgjievski, participated in the panel session dedicated to “The Impact of CBAM Introduction on the Regional Electricity Market”, together with distinguished experts and industry representatives: Anže Predovnik (ADEX Group / BSP Energy Exchange), Jasmina Truhlj (Energy Community Secretariat), Maja Turković (CWP Europe), Mark Copley (Energy Traders Europe) and Vladimir Đorđević (Axpo Group).

During his address, Gjorgjievski emphasized that MEMO closely follows European regulatory developments and warned about the risks of administrative barriers that could negatively affect market liquidity and regional integration.

“The reality of CBAM brings many challenges. On one side, MEMO is growing. Our Day-Ahead market volume is up by 19% compared to last year, but it’s mostly a trend for us in the last two years due to the increased trust in our young power exchange, rather than the effects of the CBAM. On the other hand, CBAM is creating a paradox. It is trapping inside our borders exactly the electricity produced by renewable energy sources. So, from our perspective, as it stands today, even if the trend of increased volume is expected to continue, CBAM will, in the long run, cause significant harm to free trade in our electricity markets.,” stated Gjorgjievski.

He also addressed the process of transposing the Energy Package in North Macedonia, as well as activities related to market coupling.

“According to the latest information, the part of the Electricity Integration Package that has not yet been adopted is currently in the approval phase within the Regulatory Commission. The next step is the launch of the certification process within the Energy Community, after which the European Commission will officially be able to begin the procedure. This represents a major step forward for us,” said Gjorgjievski.

He added that MEMO is already actively participating in the IBWT (Italian Border Working Table), which will enable a significantly faster and simpler implementation of the market coupling process immediately after certification is completed.

“We recently launched the Intraday Market, enabling our market to operate much closer to real time. Electricity is unique – it is produced and consumed simultaneously, which requires exceptional precision and a high level of coordination with neighboring systems. Technically, we are ready, while legal alignment is progressing in parallel,” Gjorgjievski emphasized.

He further pointed out that no national market can function as an isolated energy island.

“North Macedonia is physically connected to its neighbors through a strong electricity grid. However, interconnections alone are not enough if markets remain separated. Market coupling is the only logical step to bridge that gap. If we remain isolated, we limit liquidity and make the green transition more expensive for citizens. An integrated market is the only way to ensure a fair and sustainable energy transition for everyone,” Gjorgjievski stated.

During the forum, participants emphasized that any artificial separation from European energy developments contradicts the principles of a free market and fair competition.

Belgrade Energy Forum 2026 gathered more than 400 participants and over 50 speakers, including energy ministers from the Western Balkans, reaffirming its position as one of the most significant regional platforms for shaping energy policies through 2030 and beyond.

MEMO’s participation in the forum represents an important contribution to strengthening regional dialogue and enhancing cooperation within the electricity market.