April 17 (SeeNews) - Bulgaria and Macedonia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for coupling of the day ahead energy markets of the two countries, the Independent Bulgarian Energy Exchange (IBEX) said.
The MoU was signed by IBEX and the Electricity System Operator from the Bulgarian side, and by Macedonia's Energy Regulatory Commission and the Electricity Transmission System Operator of Macedonia, IBEX said in a statement on Monday.
The MoU is also expected to be signed by the Bulgarian Energy and Water Regulatory Commission.
Preliminary planning foresees the market coupling to be accomplished by the second quarter of 2019, IBEX said.
The process of market coupling between the two countries is facilitated under the Western Balkan 6 energy market connectivity programme, implemented by the Energy Community Secretariat and financed by the European Commission.