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.

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.

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.

Is North Macedonia a good candidate for smart sitting?

Seeing the country’s forward-thinking approach to renewables and natural beauty, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) identified North Macedonia as a prime candidate for the implementation of the smart siting approach currently being undertaken in Croatia and Serbia as well.

Is Norway on its way to achieving solar power goals?

And the country is well on its way to achieving these goals. The Oslomej solar park, built on a former lignite open pit mining site, is already partly operational and will have an installed capacity of 120 MW when fully completed. There are also a series of auctions for solar power investments to ensure more solar PV projects in the pipeline.