Skopje, 14 November 2023 (MIA) - Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski met Tuesday with Assistant Administrator in the Bureau for Europe and Eurasia (E&E) at USAID, Erin Elizabeth McKee. Talks focused on North Macedonia's energy transition and the region's energy independence, as well as the implementation of reforms on the country's path to the EU.  

Interlocutors expressed satisfaction with the formalization of the partnership between USAID and Greece in order to accelerate the integration of the regional energy market through mutual cooperation. Participants in the meeting agreed on the need for North Macedonia to join the European energy market as soon as possible, regarding which concrete steps are being taken for the country's full energy independence, the Government said in a press release.

PM Kovachevski briefed McKee on North Macedonia's achievements in this area, including the plans and projects to ensure energy independence. With the right policies in 2023 in North Macedonia, there are photovoltaic plants with a total installed power of 400MW that produce 610GWh of electricity, enough for 198,000 households. During a period of two years, a record number of 685 power plants received work permits, and according to calculations, they can supply over 160,000 households with electricity, with an average consumption of 18 cities.

"In 2023, after 13 unsuccessful tenders and almost 30 years of planning and preparations, the Government chose a bidder, Public Power Corporation S.A - Greece and its consortium partner, who are prepared to invest in the construction of the hydropower plant Chebren. The investment worth EUR 1 billion foresees the construction of a reversible hydropower plant with installed capacity of at least 333 MW, that will not only be the largest producer of electricity in the country, it will also be used as a power plant for balancing surplus electricity that will be provided throughout the day from other capacities for renewable energy sources," Kovachevski said.

McKee noted that now is the time to double the efforts and invest in an efficient, well-managed, independent energy system that will help in the energy transition and ensure energy independence and security.

She added that USAID will continue to give necessary support to North Macedonia and implement programs aimed at increasing the country's economic productivity, energy independence, as well as towards addressing corruption.

The meeting highlighted USAID's important role in strengthening democratic processes, institutions and civil society, as well as in strengthening the economy and education.

Interlocutors also recognized the Government's efforts in taking necessary steps in realizing European perspectives, while assessing that the country must continue to move forward and achieve full-fledged EU membership. Kovachevski extended gratitude for the continued political and economic assistance and partnership, pointing out that the United States has been North Macedonia's key partner and ally for more than 30 years. ssh/nn/ 

Photo: Government of the Republic of North Macedonia