North Macedonia is moving forward with its green agenda to transition away from coal as its main energy source. With many of its cities listed among the most polluted in Europe due to coal-fired thermal power plants, the country is now working to convert these facilities to renewable energy sources by 2032. To support this transition, North Macedonia has signed an agreement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, which will provide 26.4 million euros to help fund the energy transformation according to the Green Agenda. Part of these funds will go towards the creation of an educational center to provide the necessary human resources for managing the new energy systems, including energy scientists, physicists, nuclear physicists, and IT engineers.
Consultant Dragan Vidanovski explains that in addition to investing in renewable energy sources, North Macedonia is also planning to build several mini nuclear power plants to meet its energy needs. This shift towards green energy will also require the creation of new job opportunities to offset the eventual closure of the coal-fired power plant, which currently employs 2500 people. The government is preparing an investment plan for a coal phaseout by 2032, grid strengthening, new capacities, and the transition of its coal regions. Overall, North Macedonia is taking proactive steps towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly energy future.
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