Skopje, 12 October 2021 (MIA) – The government and WPD, a German company, announced Tuesday the Whirlpools project, estimated at EUR 500 million, which involves a wind park of 69 new wind turbines producing 1.335,95 gigawatt hours (GWh) of pure electricity. It was presented as being the largest direct greenfield investment in the Macedonian economy ever. Applying the highest ecological standards, the wind park along the Kumanovo-Staro Nagorichane-Kriva Palanka route in the northern part of the country will supply electricity to 290,000 households. It is expected to improve infrastructure, but the company will not use state beneficial tariffs. Local workers and suppliers will be hired. The wind park is expected to be completed in six years. 150-megawatt capacity will be installed in the first two stages each and the last one involves 114-megawatt capacity, bringing the total to 415 megawatts. The government promised WPD operational support to meet all the conditions to issue permits and enable development as well as transparent legal framework with both sides obliged to abide by it. In return, the company should provide an opportunity to procure available electricity. WPD decided to invest in the country due to its ambitious energy transition plan, availability of natural resources and the warm welcome and support expressed by the government, said the company’s authorized representative Andreas Bjorn Chollet. North Macedonia, he said, after approving the energy development strategy by 2040 has become the first Western Balkan country considering full elimination of coal by 2030. Speaking at a news conference to announce the investment, Bjorn Chollet said the country has all the preconditions to become energy independent and to rely on its renewable energy potentials. “It is the only way to prevent energy poverty,” he stressed. “It is not only the largest German investments in the country, it is also the largest direct Greenfield investment in the Macedonian economy since the country declared independence. It proves that the green agenda is possible. The project envisages more than half of the 700 MW, projected according to the strategy,” PM Zoran Zaev told the news conference. Major investors, Zaev noted, have been recognizing the economic conditions, the safety and stability in the country, where they come to invest because reforms have been implemented well. “We adopted the required legislation, we created conditions for companies to invest in a safe and secure country, we provided fair conditions for all. We’ve been working according to European rules with renowned investors,” said Zaev. Operating in 28 countries, WPD supports projects with over 5,000 MW capacity in renewable sources. Welcoming the investment, German Ambassador Anke Holstein said the project will reduce carbon dioxide by 310,000 tons annually. She said she was glad that the two countries have increased energy cooperation, adding the project is supporting the ambitious goals of the government set out in terms of energy transition. The agreement will be valid for 45 years.