Skopje, 29 September 2023 (MIA) - Novaci is the largest private photovoltaic power plant in the Balkans, at a capacity of 55MW and projected annual production of 85,000 MWh.

The EUR 40-million investment of company "Mey Energy" in Novaci municipality, which covers an area of 57 hectares at the spoil disposal site of Suvodol mine, was launched on Friday, meeting the annual electricity needs of 30,000 households.

"We are talking about the future and new projects that bring stability and security in electricity supply, resulting in a stronger economy and a better living standard for citizens. It is no coincidence that North Macedonia is called the land of the sun and I am convinced the power station will yield 20-25 percent more than the projected capacity," said Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski.

The PM said the country can become EU's green center by the time it joins the Union in 2030.

"We give priority to stability of power supply through all resources at disposal. We have the natural potentials - water, wind, over 280 sunny days per year, which is above the European average. This is why we are starting to turn the country into a green energy center of Europe," said Kovachevski.

Economy Minister Kreshnik Bekteshi said that electricity production from photovoltaics did not exceed 17MW back in 2016 but is now close to 400MW.

"They annually produce over 610GWh, covering the needs of 198,000 households. The Energy Regulatory Commission has issued licenses that would bring the photovoltaic capacity to over 550MW by the end of 2023," said Minister Bekteshi.

This capacity, he added, would cover the needs of over 270,000 households.

"About 700,000 households are connected to the power grid. Therefore, over 30 percent use photovoltaic-produced electricity. We will not stop here," noted Bekteshi.

Minister of Transport and Communications Blagoj Bochvarski said the construction of the Novaci power station came as a result of the government incentives in recent years.

"Energy is becoming more expensive and increasingly burdens the economy and households. Investments such as this one increase the competitiveness on the domestic market and result in home savings. The Ministry has facilitated procedures for mounting of photovoltaics on household roofs, shortening it from 30 days to just one, and the results are visible," noted Bochvarski.

He added that North Macedonia is already a regional leader in the application of the latest environmental standards, norms and designs in energy production from renewable sources.

Mey Energy General Manager Shefket Demirovski said their Novaci facility is fully designed and built by domestic companies, contributing to a healthier environment and a better economy.

"Through this project we are creating conditions for other domestic and foreign companies to recognize the opportunities for investments in the energy sector, leading to the country's growth and development," said Demirovski.

The plant, which construction started in November 2022, consists of 101,062 solar panels. The facility's operational period is 25 years.

Photo: MIA, Government