Electricity in North Macedonia in 2024

In 2024, North Macedonia's electricity consumption heavily relies on fossil sources, representing nearly 60% of the total electricity supply. Of this, coal contributes almost 40%, while gas makes up roughly 20%. The nation also depends significantly on net imports, accounting for about 22% of its electricity. Low-carbon energy sources, unfortunately, only contribute to approximately 18% of the electricity mix. Among these, hydropower dominates, supplying more than 16%, while wind energy presents a marginal share of just under 2%. This scenario highlights a tangible opportunity and necessity for North Macedonia to transition towards a cleaner and more self-sustaining electricity system by promoting low-carbon energy.

Suggestions

North Macedonia can look towards its regional neighbors and other successful countries for inspiration to expand its low-carbon electricity generation. For example, Bulgaria and Czechia both generate a substantial portion of their electricity—around 40%—from nuclear sources, showcasing the potential benefits of investing in nuclear power. In terms of wind energy, Lithuania and Ireland each harness more than 30% of their electricity from wind. North Macedonia could adopt similar strategic advancements in nuclear and wind energy infrastructure to boost its clean electricity generation. Additionally, the success stories from countries like Greece and Spain, with strong solar and wind capacities respectively, suggest that North Macedonia could also explore these avenues to diversify and enhance its low-carbon electricity portfolio.

History

The historical trajectory of low-carbon electricity in North Macedonia has seen fluctuating advancements, predominantly in hydropower. During the 1990s, the sector experienced incremental changes, with notable developments like a 0.4 TWh increase in hydro generation in 1991 and rapid expansions in the early 2000s, such as the 0.6 TWh growth observed in 2003. The following years witnessed volatile shifts, with significant increases in 2010 by 1.2 TWh, although negated by similar-sized reductions later, such as the 0.8 TWh decline in 2017. The year 2023 marked a modest gain in diversification with an inaugural addition of 0.3 TWh from solar energy alongside another 0.3 TWh from hydro. However, the latest statistics of 2024 show a decrease, with hydro dropping by 0.7 TWh, emphasizing an urgent need for consistent investment in more reliable and diverse low-carbon sources, including nuclear, wind, and solar energies, to counteract these fluctuations and ensure sustainable growth.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Maximum Imports

Data Sources