The minister of energy, mining and mineral resources, Sanja Bozhinovska participated and addressed at the ministerial panel of the high-level event „Electricity, Digital and Regional Interconnectivity in Southeast Europe“, held in Thessaloniki, Hellenic Republic, marking the launch of the new OECD project aimed at improving energy connectivity, digitalization and regional cooperation in Southeastern Europe.
The event summoned ministers and high representatives from the countries in the region, as well as OECD representatives and European institutions, with the aim to define priorities for modernizing energy infrastructure, strengthening regional integration of the energy markets and acceleration of green and digital transition.
In her speech, minister Bozhinovska emphasized that for the countries of the region, energy interconnections and modern electricity networks are not only part of green transition, but are also crucial for energy security, economic competitiveness and integration with the European energy market.
„Stronger energy interconnections and smart grids are essential for the Western Balkans countries-they ensure system stability, greater exchange of electricity and better conditions for integrating renewable energy sources“, Bozhinovska stated.
The minister underlined that North Macedonia is actively working on several key projects for regional energy connection. Among them is the Bitola–Elbasan interconnection with Albania, whereas construction works on the Macedonian side are expected to begin in March, with an execution period of approximately 30 months.
At the same time, the country is actively working on strengthening the east-west energy corridor in the Western Balkans, which will connect North Macedonia’s system with Kosovo and enable improved transmission capacity and greater stability of the regional energy system.
Bozhinovska also highlighted the ongoing activities to upgrade the existing interconnection Bitola-Meliti with Greece, for which technical support within Western Balkans Investment Framework is secured, as well as the new Strumica–Sandanski interconnection with Bulgaria, which is part of the broader regional energy connectivity infrastructure.
With regards,
Ministry of energy, mining and mineral resources
