A professional association of engineers has filed a constitutional challenge against flat-rate electricity bills in North Macedonia, arguing the practice violates the country’s energy law and exposes consumers to unfair debt and potential disconnection from the grid.
The Association of Engineers of the Republic of Macedonia (INRM) submitted an initiative to the Constitutional Court seeking annulment of Article 31 of the Rules on Electricity Supply and a review of parts of Article 185 of the new Energy Law.
The group says the law, in force since May 29, 2025, requires electricity bills to be based exclusively on actual meter readings, but distribution company EVN Macedonia continues to issue invoices partly calculated on estimated consumption.
“Invoices include a section indicating whether the meter was read (‘O’) or whether the state was estimated (‘M’), which means many consumers are charged on presumed use rather than actual consumption,” the association said in its submission.
Legal uncertainty
INRM argues that the system undermines legal certainty and risks households being unfairly classified as debtors and disconnected. It insists that estimated billing should only be permitted in cases of technical malfunction or damage to the meter.
“Any other deviation, such as failure to send a technician, administrative oversights or organisational lapses, can no longer justify flat-rate billing,” the group said.
The engineers’ association is urging the court to strike down the provision and for regulators to impose stricter oversight on EVN’s billing practices.
Thousands of complaints
Consumers have voiced discontent over electricity costs in recent years. According to INRM, in March the group also submitted a petition to the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) calling for changes in the supply rules to prevent unjustified charges.
Data earlier this year showed EVN Home received around 15,000 requests for corrections of high electricity bills in just one month, though only a fraction were adjusted.
Households are entitled to compare their invoice with the actual meter reading and can submit the reading directly to EVN by email or request a technician to verify it. Under the law, the company must provide quarterly meter checks and issue confirmation to consumers. If such proof is missing, citizens have the right to demand a revision of their bill.
820,000 meters nationwide
North Macedonia has about 820,000 electricity meters. By law, EVN Home must read them every three months to ensure accurate billing.
The Constitutional Court is expected to decide in the coming months whether the initiative meets the criteria for review. If admitted, the case could mark a precedent in consumer protection and utility regulation in the country.