Skopje, 16 January 2024 (MIA) - A grant worth EUR 765,158 from the Kingdom of Spain will be used to develop a study for floating photovoltaics, aimed at reducing electricity costs of "Vodostopanstvo" for pumping stations and preventing higher irrigation water bills.

Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy Ljupcho Nikolovski and representatives of Spanish company "Globaltec", which is set to provide technical support, signed the grant agreement on Tuesday.

The project will be implemented in three stages - identification of sites for photovoltaics; concept, design and feasibility study; and mounting the photovoltaic systems.

The grant funds have been secured through the European Recovery and Resilience Facility, supported by Spain's Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism.

Electricity production through photovoltaics should help reduce 'Vodostopanstvo' costs for pumping stations. Over the past couple of years, electricity costs have shot up and expenses are rather high. In order to prevent a price increase of water as service provided to farmers, the production of this energy will serve to keep water prices unchanged, said the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy.

Minister Nikolovski said there is no stable agriculture without a stable irrigation system, whereas investments in water supply capacities is one of the ministry's priorities.

MIA file photo