AD MEPSO records a growing trend of requests for connection of the renewable energy sources to the transmission network. The “green” scenario from the National Strategy for Energy Development predicts the integration of 750 MW from wind power stations and 1350 MW from photovoltaic power plants by 2040, and the interest for RES is by now three times exceeded, the General Director Kushtrim Ramadani pointed out at the two-day energy forum MEF 2021. “The integration of RES as a key part of the energy transformation is a true challenge for the Power System Operators. AD MEPSO has two important tasks to fulfil; firstly, to create conditions to enable the renewable energy sources to connect to the transmission network and secondly, to manage the produced energy.
So far, we have received requests for connection to the transmission network of 2000 MW for wind power stations and over 1000 MW for photovoltaic power plants,” pointed out the General Director.
For an effective transition of the RES, which will lead to transition of green energy, Ramadani stated, “it will be needed investments in the transmission network, increase of the capacity and its efficacy with introducing smart technologies, strict electricity balance rules and a strong regional cooperation, a platform for balancing and introducing energy storage systems”
The Strategy for Energy Development, which was adopted in 2019, predicts that by 2040 energy consumption will be reduced by 27% and the participation of RES to be increased from the current 18% to 45%. The main objective of the forum was in that direction, how to continue the energy transformation to green energy, how to get investments and how do we deal from a social aspect with the higher prices that come, whether it is from the coal tax or the more expensive electric energy received from RES.
“The green transition will not be as successful if it is not rightful, meaning, if the whole process does not take into consideration the human dimension, as well as the economic and social aspects, the Prime Minister Zoran Zaev emphasised, and added, “the total capacity of the previously designed photovoltaic power plants that are being built or to be built amounts to 1500 MW, and that of the wind power stations is 550 MW”.
“The Republic of North Macedonia is the first country to develop a National Energy and Climate Plan that includes decarbonisation, energy efficiency, security of energy supply, internal energy market and research, innovation and competitiveness, which will be adopted in October this year”, stated in front of the audience the Minister of Economy Kreshnik Bekteshi.
In the process of transition to green energy, the United States also offered assistance. “We are here to help the countries of this region to feel more secure, in energy aspect, on the road to transformation. I am talking about Greece, Bulgaria, the Republic of North Macedonia and Serbia. Balkan governments are announcing plans for financing renewable energy sources and additional investments in transmission capacities. We will support you to do that” – said the ambassador Byrnes.
The fight against climate change should be common to all, said EU Ambassador David Gere, and the Republic of North Macedonia is the first to start the process of replacing the mines with solar energy. “North Macedonia has taken significant steps to adopt a five-year energy development program and an integrated energy plan, which aims to reduce carbon emissions, as well as measures to implement the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans," Gere said.