Skopje, 11 March 2024 (MIA) - Two photovoltaic power stations with a total capacity of nearly 8 MW are to be built in the Struga and Strumica technological-industrial development zones. The two power stations will be constructed as part of a public-private partnership with Turkish company "Fides Elektrik Enerjisi" that was selected at a public call, the Directorate for Technological Industrial Development Zones (TIDZ) said on Monday.

According to the bid, the Turkish company will allocate ten percent of revenues to the national budget.

The public-private partnership is concluded for a period of 25 years, after which the private partner will transfer the ownership of the power plants to the state with an 80-percent production capacity. The land remains state-owned and the private partner will pay an annual fee for its lease at Mden 40 (EUR 0.65) per m2.

Through these investments, TIDZ aims to contribute to the strengthening of the country's energy capacities, as well as speeding up the transition to a green economy. This approach of energy produced from renewables is a priority of most foreign companies operating or willing to invest in North Macedonia, TIDZ said in a press release.

A new public call for public-private partnership for the construction of photovoltaic power plants will be released by the end of March, with over 40 hectares already allocated in the Skopje, Shtip and Prilep industrial zones. The land is not suitable for other industries, namely bordering lots that have been unused for over 15 years.

MIA file photo