Skopje, 23 November 2023 (MIA) - The call for contractors over the construction of the North Macedonia-Greece natural gas interconnector will be released tomorrow, said Economy Minister Kreshnik Bekteshi on Thursday.

"The new gas interconnector will be an excellent opportunity for the country to gradually make its energy transition, especially with regard to the energy and mining complex (REK) Bitola and thermal power plant (TEC) Oslomej. Gas will be used as a transitional energy resource by 2040 and this will be the final fossil-fuel project funded by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Investment Bank (EIB)," Minister Bekteshi told a press briefing ahead of 28th United Nations Climate Change conference (COP28).

The "Nomagas" specification, he added, notes that the two thermal power plants would use hydrogen as fuel, once the technology is developed in the country.

The 123km-long gas interconnector will link the two national gas transmission systems, and is set to be completed by mid-2025.

Bekteshi said 600MW of photovoltaics are currently connected to the grid, with further 150MW from the wind parks to be available by next March.

"The EBRD agreement stipulates that North Macedonia does not open new coal mines, whereas a new heating or co-generation gas plant is a possibility in the Skopje region," said Bekteshi.

The Minister stressed that energy transition in the next 5–10 years would cost several billion euros, secured by the country and the private sector.

"This is why we define the legislation in order to open the market, especially regarding the energy storage and enhancement of the transmission grid," said Bekteshi.

Photo: MIA