Will North Macedonia become self-sufficient in electricity production?

The vision of the new ministry is for North Macedonia to become self-sufficient in electricity production. According to Božinovska, it is crucial for the country to focus on domestic electricity generation, as it currently lacks new renewable energy capacities.

Why did the new government of North Macedonia need securing energy supplies?

Firstly, the Ministry of Energy, Mining, and Mineral Resources needed to address a critical issue: securing energy supplies for the winter. Sanja Božinovska stated that the new Government of North Macedonia inherited a challenging situation in the energy sector and had to make every effort to ensure a reliable energy supply throughout the winter.

Does North Macedonia need private investors?

“One thing is certain: if private investors are included, we want to have majority ownership because North Macedonia needs to own energy production capacities,” she says. Like other countries in Southeast Europe, North Macedonia is flooded with investor applications for the grid connections of new solar and wind projects.

Will North Macedonia get a grid connection?

Like other countries in Southeast Europe, North Macedonia is flooded with investor applications for the grid connections of new solar and wind projects. The transmission system operator (TSO) MEPSO has a huge waiting list for the preliminary grid connection. In her words, the investors want to connect a total capacity of 9,000 MW.

Does North Macedonia have a natural gas network?

North Macedonia doesn’t have a significantly developed natural gas network, there is only one interconnector with Bulgaria. When the ministry was established, the European Investment Bank (EIB) and EBRD informed it that the tendering procedure for the interconnector with Greece had been canceled.

Could the North Macedonia – Serbia interconnector be a transit route?

The country has signed the memorandum on the North Macedonia – Serbia interconnector and the preparation of the feasibility study is underway. This pipeline, in her words, could be a transit route for the transportation of gas from Greece to Central Europe. “The plan is also to increase the use of gas in households, to lower air pollution.