With a loss of 1.033.100.724 denars (about 16,8 million euros), made in 2020, the state-owned company that manages the domestic production of electricity - Electricity of Macedonia (ESM) is the biggest loser among state-owned companies and public enterprises. The portal Pari.com.mk in cooperation with BiznisMreza.mk analyzed the profitability of companies from the public sector, and the data are astonishing - a long list of losers from the most essential activities - energy, transport, navigation, national forest, parking lots

Only the first 5 biggest losers from the state sector - the energy companies for production of electricity and for the high voltage network ESM and MEPSO, then the two companies from the railway traffic Railway - Infrastructure and Railway - Transport and AD for air navigation services M-NAV 47,8 million euros.

What is dangerous for the losses of the companies from the state and the public sector that they hit the backs of the people directly through the price, or indirectly through the services.

The state company ESM is a record holder not only in terms of losses, but also in terms of the number of employees, revenue generated, and expenditure. The company has as many as 4.802 employees, and in 2020 it realized income of 12.015.429.364 denars (about 195,4 million euros) and expenditure of 13.048.530.088 denars (about 212,2 million euros). The financial results of ESM affect all citizens. According to the legislation, ESM is obliged to meet 70% of the electricity needs of the universal supplier "EVN Home" through which the population is now supplied with electricity. ESM announces its price for megawatt-hours of electricity at a tender. The final price of electricity largely depends on what number it will say. A decision on a new electricity price will be made at the end of July, and it will be valid from August 1. These days, the President of the Energy Regulatory Commission Marko Bislimoski explained that the price of ESM in the current price of electricity participates with 48,8 percent.

The frightening minus in the operation of the company raises the question: why is that? The official data of ESM show that the domestic production of electricity is continuously declining. Thus, in 2006, when ESM (then ELEM) stood out as a separate company that manages the production of electricity from other energy sectors - high voltage network and distribution, 6.195,8 gigawatt-hours of electricity were produced, and in 2019 (last annual report released by the company) production was 4.231,7 gigawatt-hours of electricity. The reduction of production, according to experts in the energy sector, is a result of the reduction of quantities, but also of the quality of lignite for thermal power plants and overhauls in REK "Bitola" which produces about 75 percent of domestic electricity. That reduction, in turn, directly affects the company's revenue side. The expenditure side is affected by all costs, the justification of which is often questioned. For example, it is often said that energy companies are overstaffed. ESM data show that in 2007, the company had 3.910 employees, or 910 fewer employees than it had in 2020. All of this data ultimately results in the loss shown.

Second on the list after losses among state losers is Macedonian Railways - Transport. The company in charge of railway transport has 855 employees, in 2020 it generated income of 1.235.865.115 denars (about 20 million euros), but the expenses were 1.620.640.899 denars (about 26,3 million euros), which generated a loss of 6,3, XNUMX million euros.

The problems in the Railways are long-standing and the governments have been announcing the privatization of the railway transport for years, but all that has been left are announcements. The losses are reflected directly on the services offered by the Railway. Trains have an average age of 50 years. Citizens complain about the heating in winter, in summer the most common complaints are about the cooling. The business community has also been demanding more efficient freight rail traffic for years. The data show that in 2008 4,2 million tons of goods were transported through the Railway, and in 2020 only 1,7 million tons of goods.

Third on the list of losers completed by state and public enterprises in 2020 was found JSC for air navigation services M-NAV with a loss of 358.297.189 denars (5,8 million euros). The revenues of the company were 487.393.443 denars (almost 8 million euros), and the expenses 845.690.632 denars (13,8 million euros). But the loss of M-NAV is obvious, ie it is a result of the pandemic that almost stopped the air traffic.

The fourth place is again reserved for a company from the energy sector. Now it is the company responsible for the high voltage network, ie JSC for transmission of electricity and management of the power system (MEPSO). This state-owned company last year made a loss of 357.855.501 denars (5,8 million euros). The company generated revenue of 3.362.115.962 denars (54,7 million euros), and its expenses were 3.719.971.463 denars (60,5 million euros). The financial results of this company also directly affect the price of electricity. The impact of this energy company, as explained by the President of the Energy Regulatory Commission Marko Bislimoski is now 3,53 percent, and MEPSO requested an increase of its share by 143 percent. However, the final word on whether this request will be met rests with the Regulatory Commission.

In the fifth place of state losers, we return to the railway, now to its second company Railway - infrastructure. Privatization is not considered for this part. Railway infrastructure is often the target of public criticism. Criticism has been leveled at both its maintenance and the fact that it is obsolete and that fast, modern trains cannot run on it. Revenues in 2020 of PE Zeleznica - Infrastructure are 780.518.514 denars (12,7 million euros), and expenditures are 1.103.109.450 denars (17,9 million euros), with a loss of 322.590.936 denars (5,2, XNUMX million). JP Zeleznica - Infrastructure has been losing for years, and the pandemic has especially hit the transport sector. PE Zeleznica-Infrastructure provides its revenues from compensation for the use of railway infrastructure, from performed services, from rents and from the lease of optical cable.