Macedonia is on the brink of significant changes in the energy sector, laying the foundations for energy independence. In a period when global energy challenges are becoming more prevalent, the country faces the need for modernization of its energy infrastructure, as well as a shift towards renewable energy sources. This is how the renowned Serbian specialized electronic media "Energy Portal" presents the interview with the Minister of Energy, Mining, and Mineral Resources, Sanja Bozhinovska, in its magazine edition.
In response to the question of the goals of the newly formed ministry, Bozhinovska outlines plans for Macedonia's future in the energy sector.
“Our main goal is to strengthen domestic production capacities in state ownership through multi-year and long-term investments in energy infrastructure and capacities that will guarantee energy stability and independence. We plan to implement capital investments, which is one of the priorities of the new government. The energy sector has been neglected for a long time, but now it will have a special place, and we will work thoroughly to achieve energy independence. In addition to new projects, we plan to complete energy connectivity with neighboring countries,” said Bozhinovska.
Furthermore, in response to the question about the plan for the growth of renewable energy sources and which is a higher priority—whether increasing renewable energy sources or modernizing the electricity transmission grid—Bozhinovska believes that both processes can and should take place simultaneously. “We will also introduce mandatory use of batteries for photovoltaic power plants, through which electrical energy will be stored and can be used when needed in the system. But besides the expansion of photovoltaics, we plan to balance by utilizing water, wind, biomass, and biogas, which are also efficient and offer different qualities and opportunities for energy production at various times of the day and year. For this reason, in the early days of the new government, we announced a new mega-investment with the construction of a 400MW wind farm, with the installation of over 50 wind turbines, which will be the largest wind farm in the Western Balkans, providing electricity for the needs of more than 100,000 households.”
Minister Bozhinovska emphasized that in the upcoming period, significant progress toward energy independence will also come from the full gasification of the country and the construction of interconnectors with neighboring countries. In response to a journalistic question regarding the need for regulatory changes in the energy sector, she explained that the change in regulation is needed primarily to protect the interests of citizens and to create fair conditions and access for any serious actor intending to invest in that sector.
