Saisonale energiespeicher North Macedonia

Should North Macedonia accelerate the transition to renewables?

Like others in the region, North Macedonia must balance its need to rapidly accelerate the transition to renewables to secure its energy future with the need to ensure that future is one where both the country’s nature and people thrive.

What type of electricity does North Macedonia use?

North Macedonia relies predominantly on fossil fuels (low-grade lignite and gas) and hydropower, and is dependent on electricity imports. The total generation of electricity in 2022 was 5,634 GWh, and another 1,471 GWh was imported to satisfy the total domestic electricity demand.

How much solar power does North Macedonia have?

Solar power Built on a former lignite open pit mining site, North Macedonia's Oslomej solar park will have an installed capacity of 120 MW when fully completed. © Ciril Jazbec

Does North Macedonia need a coal phase-out?

Even though the country has historically been dependent on lignite coal mining for around 30% and gas imports for an additional 15% of its electricity production, it has nonetheless set very ambitious goals for decarbonization. As part of the Powering Past Coal Alliance, North Macedonia has committed to a coal phase-out by 2027.

Does Macedonia have a wind farm?

North Macedonia has a 36.8 MW wind farm at Bogdanci and has received EU and KfW financing to expand it. It was the first country in the Western Balkan region to put into operation a sizeable wind facility. Its second wind farm, the 36-MW Bogoslovec, only started operating in mid-2023.

Is North Macedonia a biodiversity hotspot?

However, despite its small land area, North Macedonia also stands out as a biodiversity hotspot, housing a significant portion of Europe’s biodiversity. This includes 64% of the continent's bird species and 34% of mammal species—all on an area smaller than 0.3% of the European subcontinent.