The minister of energy, mining and mineral resources, Sanja Bozhinovska visited the hydro power plant „Globochica“, whereas accompanied by the director of the „Crn Drim“ Hydropower Plant Branch, Dr. Goce Bozhinovski, conducted a site visit at one of the most significant hydropower facilities in the country and discussed future investment activities and development plans.
The working meeting focused on production results, implementation of the production plan, ongoing and investment maintainance activites, as well as the next phase of the revitalization of the hydropower plants „Globochica“ and „Shpilje“.
The fact that „Globochica“ has already achieved around 80 percent of its planned annual production is encouraging, only in the first half of the year it has delivered 120 GWh electricity to the Macedonian power system-almost 19 percent more than planned.
„These results shows that when investments are made in domestic generation capacities, the country gains greater security, stability and domestic production of electricity. The modernization of the existing facilities remains our priority because they are the foundation of secure and sustainable energy system“, minister Bozhinovska emphasized.
The third phase of the revitalization of the „Crn Drim“ Hydropower Plant Branch, beginning this summer, was also presented at the meeting.
The largest share of investments will be directed toward hydropower plants „Globochica“ and „Shpilje“, whereas major capital upgrades are planned, including the replacement of generators, rotors, bearings and block transformers, modernization of hydromechanical equipment, and other activities aimed at increasing the reliability, efficiency and service life of the facilities.
In parallel, new development projects are being developed, among which „Globochica 2“, „Shpilje 2“, a floating photovoltaic power plant on the Shpilje reservoir, modernization of the control system for automatic discharge regulation and remote management of the water levels of Lake Ohrid and the Crn Drim River, as well as other projects aimed at increasing the domestic clean energy production.
The hydropower plant „Globochica“, was commissioned in 1965, and more than six decades represents one of the pillars of the Macedonian electricity system. Since the start of the operations, it has generated more than 10.500 GWh electricity, and through previous revitalization projects its installed capacity has been increased from 34,5 to 42,5 MW.
Minister Bozhinovska pointed out that the investments in such facilities are not merely investments in infrastructure, but investments in the country’s energy security, economic development and the energy independence.
„Hyropower plants are our domestic, clean and strategic source of energy. They reduce dependance on imports, provide stable generation and represent one of the strongest pillars of green energy transition. Therefore we will continue investing to ensure that these facilities continue to operate reliably and generate electricity for decades to come“, Bozhinovska stated.
With regards,
Ministry of energy, mining and mineral resources
