North Macedonia has launched a historic investment cycle in the energy sector, worth between €5.7 billion and almost €6 billion, with a clear objective: to create a stable, sustainable and predictable energy system, said Sanja Božinovska.
“These are the largest investments in the energy sector in the country’s history and they are already beginning to be implemented in this fiscal year,” Božinovska stressed, highlighting that a key breakthrough was achieved with the adoption of the new Energy Law, which is fully aligned with European Union legislation.
Božinovska stated that, for the first time, the country has a new, European energy law, which has been welcomed by all international partners. She added that investors are satisfied because there is now a single institution specifically dealing with energy and energy projects.
According to her, the law has also introduced systematic planning with clearly defined deadlines. She emphasised that there are now precisely determined timeframes for submitting projects and final deadlines, which was not previously the case.
Speaking about investor interest, she noted that the results have exceeded expectations, with as many as 284 submitted initiatives, of which 67 projects successfully passed the selection process under the established criteria. She added that the plan for 2026 is already fully allocated, while applications for 2027 remain open until 1 June.
“We already have a clear plan of what will be built, where and in what manner, which is extremely important both for the state and for investors,” she said during an appearance on the programme Stav regiona on Newsmax Balkans.
The greatest interest, she said, continues to be directed towards solar power plants.
“We have a large number of sunny days and it is logical that solar power plants remain the most attractive to investors,” Božinovska pointed out.
At the same time, systems for electricity storage are being introduced for the first time, and this year battery systems will also be deployed for the first time, which is important for the stability of the transmission grid.
Objective: reducing imports and exporting electricity
The Minister underlined that all investments are focused exclusively on green energy and that the country is striving to reduce electricity imports, adding that she would welcome North Macedonia becoming an exporter of electricity as well.
She recalled that in 2024 electricity imports amounted to only 11 per cent, which she considers a good result, but she now expects that percentage to decrease further, even close to zero. Tangible progress can be expected within the next five years.
Božinovska announced the drafting of a new national energy development strategy, which will be valid for the next 20 years.
“For the first time, we are preparing a systematic strategy that will show where we want to be in 20 years,” the Minister said.
The strategy will, she added, also encompass new technologies.
“Today we are talking about hydrogen, small modular nuclear reactors and new solutions; the strategy must keep pace with these changes,” she stressed.
Gas interconnectors and a regional energy hub
Speaking about gas infrastructure, Božinovska confirmed that projects to connect with Serbia and Greece have been activated.
She pointed out that once the country is connected with Greece and Serbia, North Macedonia will become a regional energy hub.
She added that this will bring direct financial benefits, noting that gas transit will generate additional revenue for the state budget, but emphasised that the priority is first to secure all domestic needs.
At the end of the interview, Božinovska stressed that energy reforms are one of the key elements of the country’s European path.
“The law has already been adopted, secondary legislation is being prepared and I believe we are on the right track,” the Minister said. “There are challenges, but we have a plan, we have investor interest and we have a clear vision,” she concluded.
(EUpravo zato)
