North Macedonia Prioritizes Energy Independence with Renewables, Hydropower, and Gas Cogeneration Plants

North Macedonia aims for energy independence by investing in renewable energy sources, hydropower, and gas cogeneration plants. * The Ministry of Energy, Mining, and Mineral Resources is drafting laws and strategies for state-owned power plants, focusing on sustainable, baseload, and homemade energy. * The Čebren pumped storage hydropower plant project is a cornerstone, with revised studies aiming for two to three implementation models after 14 unsuccessful tenders. * The country plans to install two gas-fired cogeneration power plants for baseload energy. * North Macedonia is addressing a large number of grid connection applications (9,000 MW) with a new energy law defining energy storage and the role of the power exchange. * Contracts for Difference (CfDs) are planned to incentivize private investors, with negotiations underway with the EBRD for auction frameworks. * The country will use coal power plants until new baseload production facilities are secured, while also addressing the impact of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). * A new tendering procedure was launched for the interconnector with Greece, with construction underway on the Greek side and a 65 km section to be built in North Macedonia.