Electricity in North Macedonia in 2023

As of 2023, North Macedonia's electricity consumption patterns reveal a significant reliance on fossil energy, and comparatively minor engagement with low-carbon energy sources. The country primarily draws its electricity from fossil fuels, led by coal (2.62 TWh) and closely followed by gas (1.29 TWh), amounting to an impressive 4.26 TWh overall. The share of low-carbon energy stands at a mere 1.24 TWh, largely facilitated by hydropower, which is responsible for close to this entire amount (1.14 TWh). Compared to the global per capita electricity average of 410 watts/person, North Macedonia's production is significantly low. This could lead to issues including a lack of reliable electricity supply, stifled industrial growth, and limited technological advancements.

Suggestions

North Macedonia could look to boost its low-carbon electricity production by drawing insights from nations who have excelled in this regard. Among similar countries, Spain has successfully harnessed both wind (61 TWh) and solar power (40 TWh), in addition to nuclear energy (54 TWh). Similarly, Bulgaria has shown significant achievements with nuclear power (16 TWh). The Czech Republic, another country with a similar profile, has also effectively utilized nuclear power, producing 29 TWh. Drawing from these examples, North Macedonia can explore the potential of wind, solar, and nuclear power to increase their low-carbon electricity generation.

History

Looking into the history of low-carbon electricity in North Macedonia, there has been a persistent focus on hydropower. In the early 90's, there were fluctuations with a small increase of 0.4 TWh in 1991 and a decrease of 0.3 TWh in 1993. The turn of the century saw a similar trend, with a peak of 1.2 TWh in 2010 and subsequent decrease of 1 TWh in the following year. More recently in 2022 and 2023, the hydroelectric power generation in the country has been relatively stable, with a slight increase, then decrease in production. However, the data reveals no significant advancements in other forms of low-carbon energy such as nuclear, wind, or solar, pointing towards an avenue for future exploration and development.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Maximum Imports

Data Sources