North Macedonia has approved a renewable and storage pipeline of around 4.4 GW, despite the country’s grid being much smaller than the planned additions. The shift in project risk is tied to grid integration rather than permitting. In parallel, the country expanded its solar base, installing about 210 MW of solar capacity in 2025. Cumulative photovoltaic capacity rose to above 1 GW.
Solar build-out targets for 2026
North Macedonia’s 2026 energy-construction plan includes 59 solar projects totaling more than 3 GW. Total approved power projects reach approximately 4.4 GW, according to the plan figures. The previous year’s plan covered only 1.2 GW, including 812 MW of solar. The scale-up reflects increased investor interest in the pipeline.
Only part of the approved pipeline can be connected without major network reinforcement, given existing system constraints. If projects are developed without coordination, curtailment could rise and weaken solar capture prices. That would also widen the gap between nominally approved capacity and projects that can be financed and delivered. The connectivity limits therefore affect how much of the pipeline becomes executable.
Pumped-storage Čebren and balancing requirements
The proposed Čebren pumped-storage hydropower plant is described as North Macedonia’s most strategically significant balancing project. After repeated failed concession attempts, the government is considering state-led implementation. The total investment has been estimated at approximately €1.5 billion, including financing costs. Government calculations indicate an internal rate of return above 10%.
The project is expected to support seasonal storage, peak generation, renewable balancing and water-management functions. Its scale also introduces construction, hydrological, environmental and sovereign-financing exposure. Development would require a robust geotechnical baseline and disciplined procurement processes. Clear allocation of interface risks is needed between civil works, electromechanical equipment and transmission infrastructure.
REK Bitola district heating and cogeneration preparation
At REK Bitola, state utility ESM has secured a $2.4 million World Bank grant for preparatory work on a cogeneration plant and expansion of the district-heating system . The studies will evaluate a transition away from existing coal-based generation toward technology capable of using natural gas and potentially hydrogen . This work forms part of broader changes across generation and heat supply.
North Macedonia is pursuing utility-scale solar, pumped storage and thermal conversion at the same time. The portion of the pipeline considered credible is linked to demonstrable firm connection dates, dispatch value and financing structures that remain resilient to grid delays . This approach ties project bankability to system readiness rather than approvals alone.
