The national data center will likely be built near the two Skopje-area technological-industrial zones at Bunardzhik, Macedonian Minister of Digital Transformation Stefan Andonovski said Wednesday. The site consists of land unsuitable for agriculture but offers ample space should the Government decide in the future to construct a photovoltaic power plant to supply electricity to the data center.
“It is located near Skopje, close to the Skopje 1 and 2 Technological-Industrial Development Zones, as well as near a highway and a fiber-optic line; therefore, the data center will most likely be situated there,” said Andonovski.
Construction of the national data center will be funded by state resources, though the project also includes a 30% grant component. The Government is now tasked with finding an international financier; although discussions were held with the World Bank, the Bank will be unable to provide the funding due to incompatibility with EU requirements.
