North Macedonia advances toward EU energy market integration

On average, almost one new megawatt (MW) per day has been added to the electricity system over the past four years, according to data from the Energy and Water Services Regulatory Commission (ERC). From October 2022 to October 2025, new renewable energy capacities with a total installed capacity of 1,200 MW have been built in North Macedonia, said ERC President Marko Bislimoski at the Regional Conference on the Green Transformation of the Western Balkans, held in Tirana, Albania.

"Electricity production from solar energy is now a reality — the boom in photovoltaic power plants has marked the start of the energy transition, which in turn launched the transformation of the electricity sector. The figures are encouraging, but the period ahead is full of challenges, one of which is balancing the system when it comes to renewable energy. At this stage, we must act to encourage investments in power plants that produce base-load energy. The use of batteries also has a role, but it is essential to implement investments that will replace coal-based electricity production with gas or biomass," Bislimoski said.

The digitalization of administrative procedures for obtaining the necessary permits and documents — as a precondition for increasing investment — was one of the key messages from the panel discussion "How to create zones for faster implementation of green investments," CE Report quotes MIA.

According to the ERC, speakers — including energy experts, economists, and government officials from both central and local authorities of the host country — stressed that the energy transition will only be successful if households also feel the benefits, not just industry. Policies and reforms promoting a smart green energy future must be a goal for regional governments to enable easier integration into the European energy market.