As part of its activities to increase the share of electricity production from hydropower facilities in Macedonia, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has published an invitation for an expression of interest for consulting services.
The responsibility of the selected consultant will be to assist the Macedonian Government in the conceptual design for the best hydropower development option from an environmental, social, economic and financial perspective, also taking into account the state’s priorities. The consultant is expected to identify the most suitable hydropower development option to meet the 2025-2030 renewable energy action plan objectives as an alternative to Lukovo Pole and Boskov Most HPPs.
The contract may last 12 months with the possibility of an extension and it is expected to start in May. The estimated cost is 150,000 euros, which will be funded by the EBRD Shareholder Special Fund. The deadline for the expression of interest is 28 April 2017.
In January 2017, EBRD announced that it has cancelled a loan to Macedonian power utility ELEM worth 65 million euros intended for the construction of hydropower plant Boskov Most in Mavrovo national park. According to EBRD’s statement, the reason for the cancellation of the loan is that it has expired as conditions for disbursement were not met. The loan was available for five years. Last May, Macedonian court has annulled the license for the construction of HPP Boskov Most, noting that it was issued based on an inadequate and incomplete environmental impact assessment.
