North Macedonia’s energy – Focus
North Macedonia’s energy comes from the sun: a solar boom
North Macedonia is undergoing a decisive energy transition, rapidly transforming its energy mix through photovoltaics (PV), which is becoming the fastest-growing renewable technology. This unprecedented expansion, driven by the European Union’s Clean Energy Package, has led the country to achieve 1,494 renewable plants with a total installed capacity of 1,663 MW by the end of 2024, accounting for 56% of its total national capacity. Alongside this surge in photovoltaics, the first concrete initiatives and a regulatory framework for energy storage were introduced, with the aim of improving energy security, ensuring system flexibility, and balancing variable renewable generation.
The photovoltaic driving force
While hydropower traditionally dominated North Macedonia’s renewable sector, PV systems have led the expansion between 2022 and 2024, marking an unprecedented growth period for renewable energy projects. This rapiddevelopment aligns with domestic legislative evolution projected to accelerate renewable deployment and diversify the national energy mix. In addition to large-scale generation, the growth of energy prosumers -households and small businesses installing rooftop systems – is notable. By 2024, there were 1,598 registered prosumers in total, comprising 813 households and 785 legal entities. These rooftop systems possess a combined capacity of 25 MW. These prosumers delivered 12.3 GWh into the national grid in 2024, nearly doubling the volume recorded in 2023.
Regulatory shift towards storage
With PV capacity booming, attention is now focused on energy storage, considered the next frontier for ensuring a resilient energy sector. An important turning point occurred with the 2022 amendments to the Energy Law, which officially introduced, for the first time, the concept of “operator of energy storage facilities”. This regulatory change marks a critical step, enabling the integration of storage into the regulatory framework and the electricity market. Under the current rules, licenses are required if storage is managed as an independent activity or it is part of a plant with a capacity equal to or greater than 1 MW. Licenses are not required, however, if the storage is exclusively for own consumption, integrated into transmission or distribution infrastructure, or part of a plant smaller than 1 MW.
Pioneering battery applications
Recent developments demonstrate the first concrete initiatives in applying storage technology. Energo Solar System has submitted applications for two pioneering battery storage systems. These systems are designed to be integrated into existing operating PV plants. One application involves a 1,575 kW PV plant integrated with a 1,000 kW battery system, and the second pairs a 2,700 kW PV plant with a 1,600 kW battery system. Although no licenses have been issued yet, these applications mark the country’s first step toward regulating battery storage.
Securing energy independence
The integration of battery systems is crucial, bringing multiple benefits essential for the transition currently underway in the country. These benefits include balancing variable output from intermittent solar and wind sources and reducing dependence on imports by storing renewable energy for use during periods of peak demand. Furthermore, storage is essential for supporting grid stability and providing essential system services. Energy storage is expected to accelerate the energy transition towards a more sustainable, flexible, and resilient energy sector. Following the expected release of the first licenses, experts predict that a greater number of photovoltaic operators will begin to integrate storage and that operators dedicated to autonomous storage will eventually emerge. The continued growth of solar power and the development of storage capabilities will play a decisive role in securing North Macedonia’s energy independence and promoting a sustainable energy future, in line with the EU’s broader target.