SO2 emissions from coal combustion in 2025 were slightly lower than those in 2024. However, with the decreasing ceiling, SO2 emissions – at 84,649 tonnes – were nine times higher than the allowed 9,412 tonnes.

As in previous years, the stacks of Bitola B 1 & 2 and Bitola B3 were the country’s highest SO2 polluters in 2025. Bitola B 1 & 2 emitted 51,585 tonnes, which was 11.75 times as high as the stack’s individual ceiling. Bitola 3 did a lot worse – with 31,205 tonnes it breached its individual ceiling by 16.37 times – the highest breach in the region. Oslomej’s limited operating hours kept it just under the individual ceiling of 2,036 tonnes, but even this will change at the end of 2027 when emissions need to be below 940 tonnes.

Dust emissions from coal-fired power generation exploded in 2025 and reached levels more than twice as high as the average for the previous seven years. The Bitola power plant with its two stacks emitted 7,675 tonnes and singlehandedly breached the 7,094-tonne regional ceiling for dust emissions for 2025.

NOx emissions increased compared to 2023 and 2024, but they still fall below the 2025 and even the 2027 ceilings. However, this is only because of the unrealistically high ceiling for Oslomej, as well as its low operating hours and limited contributions to the overall NOx emissions. The reported 5,426 tonnes are mostly emissions from Bitola B 1 & 2, with 3,302 tonnes, and Bitola 3, with 1,808 tonnes.

In March 2021, due to the breaches of the overall NERP ceilings, the Energy Community Secretariat opened a dispute settlement case against North Macedonia. In July 2023, the Secretariat submitted a reasoned request to the Ministerial Council to make a decision confirming non-compliance, which it did in December 2023. As the breaches have not been rectified, the case remains open in 2026.