Skopje, 9 September 2026 (MIA) - We will not wait for the energy future to arrive, we will build it today through knowledge, partnership and work that leaves lasting results, Minister of Energy, Mining and Mineral Resources Sanja Bozhinovska said Wednesday at an event marking the implementation of Alcazar Energy’s investment in the construction of a Shtip wind farm.

The wind farm is expected to be completed within three years, with €180 million secured for its first phase. The overall investment is estimated at around $500 million, while the project is expected to generate one terawatt-hour of renewable electricity and create 300 jobs.

Bozhinovska underscored that energy independence is not something that can simply be declared, but must be built through new production capacities, responsible investment, knowledge and institutions with clear direction.

“That is why the Shtip wind farm has significance that goes beyond a single project and investment. Our task is to connect such facilities with a broader goal – greater security of supply, a stronger economy and less exposure to external energy shocks. We must not leave Macedonia’s energy future solely dependent on conditions created by others, we must build it with the capacities we develop here. This is precisely the role of the Ministry of Energy. Our institutional support for the wind farm is part of our commitment to supporting investments in renewable energy sources through predictable rules and a long-term development strategy,” she said.

As she noted, serious investors should be provided with clear rules, a professional approach and efficient work within institutions.

“We will work toward more efficient procedures, but not lower standards. We will encourage investment, but insist that it be responsible toward land use, the environment and local communities,” Bozhinovska said.

Photo: MIA