In a landmark development for North Macedonia’s energy landscape, solar power has surpassed hydropower in installed capacity for the first time as of 2025. This shift marks a significant evolution in the country’s electricity generation portfolio, driven by a robust increase in renewable energy sources.
The annual report from the Regulatory Commission for Energy (RKE) reveals that North Macedonia added a total of 178.6 MW to its electricity generation capacity during 2025. The expansion was primarily fueled by new solar installations, which accounted for 115 MW, complemented by two new wind farms contributing an additional 64 MW.
This surge in solar development has elevated the total solar capacity to 962.6 MW, positioning it as the second-largest source of electricity generation in the country, trailing only behind thermal power plants at 1,034 MW. In contrast, hydropower facilities have seen their installed capacity decrease to 719.9 MW, resulting in a third-place ranking.
<pRenewable energy production has shown marked growth, with output from these sources increasing by 11.43% year-on-year. Consequently, the share of renewables within North Macedonia’s national electricity mix rose significantly from 41% to 46.4%.
Despite this advancement in renewable energy, thermal power plants still dominate overall electricity generation, accounting for 35.39%. Hydropower follows at 21.57%, while solar energy contributes 19.28%, with cogeneration plants making up the remaining 18.23%.
A pivotal change noted this year is that solar generation has outpaced cogeneration output for the first time, with solar power plants generating approximately 1,180 GWh, compared to around 1,116 GWh from cogeneration units.
The RKE Chairman, Aco Ristov, reported that total electricity production in North Macedonia reached 6,123 GWh in 2025, indicating stability compared to previous years. He emphasized notable growth in variable renewable sources, highlighting that wind generation surged by 32.5%, while solar generation rose by 27.7%.
The role of battery storage systems is also gaining traction as part of the country’s transition towards sustainable energy solutions. In 2025 alone, the RKE issued licenses for seven electricity storage systems linked to solar projects, amounting to a combined capacity of 7.1 MW. Ristov noted that these storage systems are expected to enhance grid efficiency by balancing surplus renewable generation and shifting electricity usage during peak demand periods.
This deployment of battery storage technology is anticipated to lower overall system costs through improved grid management and more effective utilization of renewable energy resources.
