Macedonian Minister of Energy, Mining, and Mineral Resources Sanja Bozhinovska opened the fifth Annual Solar Conference organized by the Macedonian Solar Association Solar Macedonia, an event bringing together companies, investors, and experts from the renewable energy sector.
In her address to the attending, Bozhinovska said that solar energy was no longer the future but the present reality of the Macedonian energy sector, emphasizing that the next phase must bring greater order, planning, and predictability.
“We cannot build renewable energy capacity faster than the grid can safely accommodate. Through new regulations and annual plans, Macedonia is creating a predictable investment environment and a secure energy system. We are planning ahead, preparing the grid, and creating the conditions necessary for new investments to be truly functional and sustainable,” Bozhinovska said.
The energy minister noted that the new legal framework for energy and renewable sources establishes rules for a fairer and more predictable investment climate while simultaneously ensuring greater protection for the energy system.
“We want to put an end to the ‘build first, find a grid solution later’ approach. Alongside new solar and wind capacities, the Ministry is working on strengthening and digitizing the transmission and distribution networks, as well as developing battery storage. The future of renewable energy lies not only in how much we produce, but in how smartly we use and store that energy,” noted the minister.
Bozhinovska points out that Macedonia is also preparing for the next generation of energy technologies. Planning for future technologies is being incorporated into the first comprehensive Hydrogen Study and new energy infrastructure projects. She cites the gas interconnector with Greece as an example, noting that it has been designed with the capability to transport green hydrogen in the future.