Skopje, May 28, 2025 - Today, nearly nine years after the signing of the initial contract, work has commenced on one of the essential infrastructure projects for the country’s energy stability, and that is the underground optical cable connecting the Gjorche Petrov substation, the MEPSO headquarters and the CCGT TE-TO. This project, which involves laying an underground optical cable 12 km in length, has finally entered the implementation phase, marking a new chapter in the digital and security transformation of the state transmission system.
Although the contract with Macedonian Telekom was signed back in 2016, the project faced legal, technical, and administrative obstacles that delayed its start for nearly a decade. Today's commencement is the result of the full commitment of MEPSO's new management, effective inter-institutional coordination, and secured support from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The supervision has been entrusted to the company Euro Consulting, and the Ministry of Transport and Communications has issued the required A-category construction permit.
The construction of this optical line presents both technological and logistical challenges. The route passes through an urban area with high infrastructure density, along the Vardar River, under bridges and a railway line, across the territory of four municipalities. But the benefits are far-reaching: with this investment, MEPSO completes its national secure optical ring – a pillar of the country's energy autonomy, resilience, and digital preparedness.
The project will eliminate reliance on private telecommunication operators, save €20,000–25,000 annually, and significantly boost cyber and operational security. It will also lay the foundation for advanced management, monitoring, and remote automation, making it vital to the future modernization of the transmission network.
Completion is expected by March 2026. Today’s commencement is not just a technical activity but proof that when clear vision, dedication, and expertise are aligned, even the most blocked strategic initiatives can be revived and become a trigger for change.