Over the past year, spanning from November 2024 to October 2025, electricity consumption in North Macedonia has been primarily driven by fossil fuels. More than half of the electricity came from fossil energy, with coal being the major contributor, accounting for nearly 41%, while gas followed closely at about 19%. On the other hand, low-carbon energy sources, including hydropower, solar, and wind, contributed almost a third of the nation's electricity. Hydropower was a significant low-carbon source, generating about 20% of the power, while solar and wind together contributed a modest 8%. Additionally, North Macedonia relied on net imports for about 11% of its electricity needs. Clean energy sources are present, but there remains substantial untapped potential for future growth, particularly in the solar and wind sectors.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, ENTSOE and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in North Macedonia?
Currently, North Macedonia's electricity consumption is experiencing a decline, an issue of concern given our shared goal of increasing sustainable energy usage. In 2025, the average electricity consumption per person was 2972 kWh, down significantly from the historic high in 2011 of 4624 kWh per person. This decrease of 1652 kWh reflects a drop in energy uptake that could be linked to various socio-economic factors. Concurrently, low-carbon electricity generation has also decreased, from a recent high of 1196 kWh per person in 2023 to 859 kWh in 2025, a drop of 337 kWh per person. These declines highlight the need for strategic investments and policy shifts to reverse the trend of waning electricity growth and support low-carbon infrastructure expansion.
Suggestions
To increase low-carbon electricity generation, North Macedonia can draw inspiration from regions with successful clean energy implementations. France and Slovakia highlight the potential of nuclear energy, contributing 69% and 67% of their electricity, respectively. Nuclear power remains a reliable and emissions-free source of energy, crucial for reducing carbon footprints. On the solar front, Lebanon and Nevada generate over 30% of their electricity from solar installations, demonstrating the viability of solar energy even in diverse geographical settings. Meanwhile, Denmark and Iowa showcase how extensively wind can be leveraged, generating close to half or more of their electricity from this clean resource. By focusing on nuclear and solar energy development while also exploring wind, North Macedonia can significantly boost its low-carbon electricity generation, supporting a sustainable energy future.
History
Reflecting on the history of low-carbon electricity in North Macedonia, hydropower has seen fluctuating growth patterns since the early 1990s. Notable increases occurred in 1991, 1999, and 2010, with variances of 0.4, 0.3, and 1.2 TWh, respectively. Conversely, there have been several annual declines, such as a reduction of 1 TWh in 2011, along with smaller downturns over the years. More recently, 2023 saw a modest rise of 0.3 TWh in hydropower and the inclusion of solar contributing an additional 0.3 TWh, marking a positive step towards diversification. However, the subsequent years saw a decline in hydropower, underscoring the need for sustained innovation and investment in low-carbon technologies, especially in the face of negligible nuclear contributions. This layered history reinforces the importance of steadily increasing clean energy capacity to overcome past oscillations and move towards a more stable and sustainable electricity system.
