Skopje, 18 September 2023 (MIA) - In line with the latest amendments to the Law on Energy, there are mechanisms by which energy facilities are obliged to keep a certain amount of electricity in the country, according to the needs and consumption, Minister of Economy Kreshnik Bekteshi said in response to a reporter's question on the construction of hydropower plant Chebren.

"The state has mechanisms, especially with the latest amendments to the Law on Energy, to set certain obligations for every energy facility on the territory of the Republic of Macedonia to have a certain amount of electricity to remain here in the country, according to the needs and consumption, which is not the same in summer and in winter. The most important thing, for such large projects, energy capacities, is that they are inside the territory of the Republic of Macedonia. And that is what we are doing, starting with renewable energy sources, now with Chebren, and in the future with subsequent projects as well," Bekteshi told Monday's press conference at the Government. 

Last week, the Government of North Macedonia adopted a decision enabling the construction of a reversible hydropower plant Chebren, with installed capacity of at least 333 megawatts. The estimated value of the investment, according to the Government, is around EUR 1 billion. 

Photo: MIA archive