National Renewable Energy Strategy 2030 Released
The Ministry of Economy published its updated renewable energy roadmap, targeting 50% clean electricity generation by 2030 with a focus on solar and small hydro installations.
Key Points
50% Clean Energy by 2030
The strategy targets 50% of electricity generation from renewable sources by 2030, up from approximately 28% in 2025.
Solar Focus
1,200 MW of new solar capacity planned, leveraging North Macedonia's excellent solar irradiance (1,700+ kWh/m² annually).
Prosumer Framework
New regulations will allow households and businesses to install rooftop solar and sell excess electricity back to the grid.
Coal Phase-Out Timeline
The Bitola thermal power plant (REK Bitola, 675 MW) is scheduled for progressive decommissioning between 2028-2032.
Current Energy Landscape
North Macedonia's electricity generation currently relies heavily on two sources: the Bitola lignite thermal power plant (providing approximately 60% of domestic generation) and hydroelectric power from plants on the Vardar, Crn Drim, and Treska rivers (approximately 25%). The remaining 15% comes from natural gas, small renewable installations, and imports. The country is a net electricity importer, particularly during peak winter demand. This heavy dependence on aging lignite infrastructure creates both environmental and energy security vulnerabilities. The Bitola plant is one of the largest single-source air polluters in the Western Balkans, and its progressive decommissioning is a cornerstone of both the energy strategy and EU accession requirements.
Solar Energy: The Cornerstone of the Strategy
North Macedonia has some of the best solar resources in continental Europe, with average annual solar irradiance of 1,700-1,900 kWh/m² -- comparable to central Spain and significantly higher than Germany (1,000-1,200 kWh/m²), which has 10 times more installed solar capacity. The strategy identifies solar as the primary growth vector, targeting 1,200 MW of new capacity by 2030. This includes utility-scale solar farms (800 MW) in the Pelagonia, Ovce Pole, and Strumica valleys, as well as distributed rooftop installations (400 MW) on commercial and residential buildings. For the Skopje region specifically, the plan identifies approximately 120 MW of rooftop potential on commercial and industrial buildings, plus household installations.
The Prosumer Revolution
Perhaps the most impactful change for everyday citizens is the new prosumer framework. Starting July 2026, households and businesses will be able to install rooftop solar panels and feed excess electricity into the grid through net metering arrangements. The government will offer subsidized loans covering up to 50% of installation costs for residential systems up to 10 kW. For a typical Skopje household, a 5 kW rooftop system could generate approximately 7,000 kWh annually -- enough to cover 80-100% of typical household consumption while reducing electricity bills by an estimated 400-600 EUR per year. The payback period for a subsidized installation is projected at 5-7 years.
Coal Phase-Out: Managing the Transition
The Bitola thermal power plant (REK Bitola), commissioned in the 1980s, will begin progressive decommissioning in 2028. Unit 3 (225 MW) will close first, followed by Unit 2 in 2030 and Unit 1 in 2032. The strategy includes a Just Transition Plan for the Pelagonia region, where the plant is the largest employer, providing retraining programs, economic diversification support, and priority access to renewable energy jobs. Approximately 3,000 direct and indirect jobs are affected, and the plan allocates 150 million EUR for transition support over 8 years.
Implications for Skopje and Air Quality
While the Bitola plant is 170km from Skopje, atmospheric modeling shows that its emissions contribute to regional air quality degradation, particularly during certain wind patterns. The decommissioning, combined with the expansion of clean energy, is expected to contribute to a measurable improvement in regional air quality. More directly for Skopje residents, the prosumer framework and distributed solar installations will reduce the city's dependence on grid electricity (much of it coal-generated) and create new opportunities for energy cost savings and local economic activity in the solar installation sector.
What This Means for You
- Households interested in rooftop solar should begin researching systems now; subsidized loans open July 2026
- Commercial building owners should assess rooftop solar potential -- larger systems offer faster payback
- The coal phase-out will gradually shift the electricity mix, reducing the carbon intensity of grid power
- Energy costs may fluctuate during the transition period; the prosumer framework provides a hedge
- New job opportunities in solar installation, maintenance, and energy consulting will emerge