The Macedonian Transmission System Operator AD (MEPSO), the state-owned electricity transmission system operator in North Macedonia has received funding for a major project to improve the electricity transmission network in the southeast region of the country.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is providing a loan, complementing an EU investment grant from the Western Balkans Investment Framework and a grant from the Climate Investment Fund Accelerating Coal Transition. 

The funding will be used for the construction of a 400/110 kV substation near Miletkovo and a new 110 kV overhead transmission line (OHTL) connection, as well as to rehabilitate the existing 110 kV OHTL and substations in and between Miletkovo, Valando and Strumica. MEPSO will also develop a training centre for high-voltage grid operators and other sectoral specialists.

The investment will enable the connection of 1.2 GW of new renewable energy sources in the southeast region, predominantly home to wind farms, thereby significantly advancing the country's green transition and accelerating the shift away from coal. The project is also expected to reduce energy losses by about 14.5 GWh each year. 

MEPSO will further create a training centre for high-voltage grid operators in the coal-reliant southwest region, benefiting not only MEPSO employees, but also other workers affected by the transition to green energy.

H.E Ambassador David Geer, Head of the EU Delegation to North Macedonia: “Without transmission there is no transition. This is why investing in transmission lines and smart grids is crucial for North Macedonia’s progress on decarbonisation and pushing forward the Green Agenda. We are proud that Team Europe is backing the country in this endeavour.”

Odile Renaud Basso, EBRD President: “I would like to underscore the essential impact of this project. By decreasing transmission losses by 14.5 GWh and reducing CO2 emissions by over 8,000 tonnes per year, this project will transform North Macedonia’s energy landscape.”

Zudi Enuz, General Director and President of the Management Board, MEPSO stated: “At this moment, the capacity of the transmission network around TS Valandovo, for integration of the renewable energy resources, is limited to about 100 megawatts. Upon the completion of the project, for the purpose of strengthening the transmission network in South-Eastern region, the capacity for integration of the new renewable energy resources will be about 1.2 GW.”

Sanja Božinovska, Minister of Energy, Mining and Minerals: “This project will directly contribute towards quality integration of an additional number of electrical power plants from renewable energy resources to the network of the Macedonian electrical-power transmission operator.”