€25 million EBRD loan to construct two large-scale solar power plants. Redevelopment of coal mine sites to help decarbonize power sector in North Macedonia. Country aims to generate 38% of electricity from renewables by 2030.
Decarbonization plans in North Macedonia are taking a big leap forward. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is lending €25 million ($26 million) to ESM, the state-owned electricity company, to build a 30 MW photovoltaic project consisting of 10 MW on a portion of the exhausted coal mine of thermal power plant Oslomej, and 20 MW adjacent to the thermal power plant Bitola. The European Union is also supporting this development with a €5 million grant funded through the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF).
Andi Aranitasi, EBRD head of North Macedonia, said: "This is a very important project for the country''s energy transition. It is a continuation of our previous work in backing the ambitious decarbonization plans of North Macedonia by organizing solar PV tenders and constructing the first ever utility scale solar PV plant in the country. The project will help to address the need for energy security and sustainability in a competitive and affordable manner, through investments that will create high-quality jobs and new business ecosystems, while reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions."
The new solar plants are an extension of the first 10 MW PV plant constructed on the exhausted coal mines in Oslomej and are evidence of ESM''s and the country''s decarbonization pathway. Once operational, the new facilities will produce nearly 48 GWh of electricity per year – enough to power 10,000 homes and replace 44,000 tonnes of CO2 per year. The project will also support ESM''s efforts to rehabilitate the mine sites that used to supply the thermal power plants with coal.
Ambassador David Geer, head of the EU delegation to North Macedonia, said: "We are seeing concrete actions in materializing the green agenda for the western Balkans and in turning the economic and investment plan into reality. The WBIF investment grant and the EBRD loan, supporting the transformation of Oslomej and Bitola power plants from coal based to solar energy, represent a clear indication that the country is taking the right steps – moving to green energy, while implementing a socially-just transition process. This investment was long overdue and comes at the right time for North Macedonia, ensuring clean and secure energy supplies."
The country, whose capital Skopje was recently named one of Europe''s most polluted cities, aims to source 38% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030. Especially during the current energy crises, this operation will be one of the first projects to simultaneously address key just-transition elements by moving towards clean energy use and energy security while also introducing re-training and re-skilling programs to safeguard livelihoods, support regional development, and create new economic opportunities.
ESM, a public electricity generation utility owned by the government of North Macedonia, provides 90% of the country''s domestic electricity production – about 3,600 GWh – from two thermal power plants, and 1,250 GWh from eight hydropower plants. ESM also operates two combined heat and power facilities and the first wind farm in the country, producing about 100 GWh annually.
Furthermore, in favor of decarbonization and meeting the country''s renewable energy target, in 2020 the EBRD provided technical assistance to support the regulatory and legal aspects of introducing renewable energy auctions in three renewable energy tenders for 162 MW combined solar PV capacity. These are the first tenders in the western Balkan region to be developed with exposure to wholesale power prices, one on public and one on private land, while the third is a public-private partnership tender for 100 MW solar PV capacity on ESM''s former coal mine in Oslomej.
The EBRD Shareholder Special Fund (SSF) provided €75,000 for environmental and social due diligence, and €74,000 for the development of basic design and technical specifications for the plants. The EBRD will support ESM with a nationally accredited market-relevant curricula program to define redeploying and re-training opportunities for a significant share of the affected local workforce, with an approximate budget of €200,000 to be funded from an international donor and SSF under the gender and economic inclusion TC framework.
To date, the EBRD has invested €2.3 billion in 161 projects in the economy of North Macedonia.
In Skopje, the President of the Management Board of the GEN-I Group, Dr Igor Koprivnikar, together with the Prime Minister of the Republic of North Macedonia, Dimitro Kovačevski, and the Minister of Economy, Kreshnik Bekteşi, publicly presented the start of operation of the currently largest solar power plant in North Macedonia.
The start of operation represents an important milestone for the expansion of GEN-I in the implementation of large solar power plants projects and the production of carbon-free electricity and a key contribution to the so-called Green Scenario of the Republic of North Macedonia under the Strategy for Energy Development of the Republic of North Macedonia.
"These days, the importance of investing in green energy and reducing dependence on fossil fuels is more evident than ever. I am happy to say that GEN-I is also becoming an increasingly important player in this energy market segment, not only in Slovenia but also in the international market.
North Macedonia has always been an important market for us, and with this investment, we are even more connected. It is also an important milestone for GEN-I, demonstrating our willingness to lead the green transformation and our ability to deliver large-scale renewable energy projects. We are grateful to all the participants who helped make this project successful," said Dr Igor Koprivnikar, the President of the Management Board of the GEN-I Group.
Read more about the start of operation of our largest solar power plant and the reaction of the government representatives of the Republic of North Macedonia to the partner project in the press release.
Skopje, 29 September 2023 (MIA) -Novaci is the largest private photovoltaic power plant in the Balkans, at a capacity of 55MW and projected annual production of 85,000 MWh.
The EUR 40-million investment of company "Mey Energy" in Novaci municipality, which covers an area of 57 hectares at the spoil disposal site of Suvodol mine, was launched on Friday, meeting the annual electricity needs of 30,000 households.
"We are talking about the future and new projects that bring stability and security in electricity supply, resulting in a stronger economy and a better living standard for citizens. It is no coincidence that North Macedonia is called the land of the sun and I am convinced the power station will yield 20-25 percent more than the projected capacity," said Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski.
"We give priority to stability of power supply through all resources at disposal. We have the natural potentials - water, wind, over 280 sunny days per year, which is above the European average. This is why we are starting to turn the country into a green energy center of Europe," said Kovachevski.
Economy Minister Kreshnik Bekteshi said that electricity production from photovoltaics did not exceed 17MW back in 2016 but is now close to 400MW.
"They annually produce over 610GWh, covering the needs of 198,000 households. The Energy Regulatory Commission has issued licenses that would bring the photovoltaic capacity to over 550MW by the end of 2023," said Minister Bekteshi.
This capacity, he added, would cover the needs of over 270,000 households.
"About 700,000 households are connected to the power grid. Therefore, over 30 percent use photovoltaic-produced electricity. We will not stop here," noted Bekteshi.
Minister of Transport and Communications Blagoj Bochvarski said the construction of the Novaci power station came as a result of the government incentives in recent years.
"Energy is becoming more expensive and increasingly burdens the economy and households. Investments such as this one increase the competitiveness on the domestic market and result in home savings. The Ministry has facilitated procedures for mounting of photovoltaics on household roofs, shortening it from 30 days to just one, and the results are visible," noted Bochvarski.
He added that North Macedonia is already a regional leader in the application of the latest environmental standards, norms and designs in energy production from renewable sources.
Mey Energy General Manager Shefket Demirovski said their Novaci facility is fully designed and built by domestic companies, contributing to a healthier environment and a better economy.
"Through this project we are creating conditions for other domestic and foreign companies to recognize the opportunities for investments in the energy sector, leading to the country''s growth and development," said Demirovski.
The plant, which construction started in November 2022, consists of 101,062 solar panels. The facility''s operational period is 25 years.
Mia.mk користи колачиња Ние користиме колачиња за да го подобриме вашето искуство со прелистување, да опслужуваме персонализирани реклами или содржини и да го анализираме нашиот сообраќај. Со кликнување на „Прифати", се согласувате со нашата употреба на колачиња.
About Solar energy market skopje
As the photovoltaic (PV) industry continues to evolve, advancements in Solar energy market skopje have become critical to optimizing the utilization of renewable energy sources. From innovative battery technologies to intelligent energy management systems, these solutions are transforming the way we store and distribute solar-generated electricity.
When you're looking for the latest and most efficient Solar energy market skopje for your PV project, our website offers a comprehensive selection of cutting-edge products designed to meet your specific requirements. Whether you're a renewable energy developer, utility company, or commercial enterprise looking to reduce your carbon footprint, we have the solutions to help you harness the full potential of solar energy.
By interacting with our online customer service, you'll gain a deep understanding of the various Solar energy market skopje featured in our extensive catalog, such as high-efficiency storage batteries and intelligent energy management systems, and how they work together to provide a stable and reliable power supply for your PV projects.
Related Contents
