The energy sector in Macedonia

Coal and lignite account for around 80 percent of total electricity production, which was 514 241 GWh in 2012. The remainder comes from hydropower, with a small amount of solar. Domestic production accounts for 70.1 percent of Macedonia’s electricity consumption (2012), while imports account for 29.9 percent.

Generation capacities & imports

Fossil fuels

The main domestic generation facilities in Macedonia are the lignite-fired thermal power plants in Bitola and Oslomej (together 800 MW), with the three generation blocks at Bitola alone representing 675 MW.

Both these generation facilities are owned and operated by the state-owned ELEM (ELEktrani na Makedonija). In addition, there is a back-up thermal power plant fuelled by heavy fuel oil in Negotino (210 MW capacity).

Macedonia’s oil and gas supply is entirely imported. Oil comes via the Thessaloniki-Skopje oil pipeline, while gas comes through a pipeline from Russia through Bulgaria. Gas infrastructure is relatively undeveloped.

Hydro & wind

Hydroelectric generation represents a total installed capacity amounting to 528 MW, out of which over 500 MW is run by ELEM. The state company is currently also developing a 50 MW wind farm project. Until September 2014, 16 turbines totalling a 36,8 MW capacity have been installed.

Lignite mining

Macedonia is a significant lignite producer: 6.8 million tonnes in 2010 from the state-owned Suvodol and Oslomej surface mines, and from a number of smaller privately owned surface mines. The country also imports hard coal (158 000 tonnes in 2010) and lignite (54 000 tonnes).

Most coal and lignite is used for power generation - around 95 percent by energy content. The rest is used almost entirely by the steel industry, including MAKSTIL AD at its integrated steel works and ArcelorMittal’s steel mill in Skopje.

Planned capacities

Like other countries in the region, has big plans for both hydropower and new lignite capacity. The most significant hydropower projects are the highly controversial Boskov Most and Lukovo Pole plants. The former has received conditional approval for financing by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

As well as renovating the Bitola power plant, ELEM plans to open a new mine at Mariovo and to construct a 300 MW thermal power plant there.

Energy efficiency

Macedonia has plenty of room for energy efficiency improvements. Electricity losses in 2012 were 14.5 percent of the gross national electricity consumption, and practices such as heating on electricity have contributed to increasing energy costs for many households.