A technical failure has temporarily disrupted operations at the Bitola Thermal Power Plant, one of the key coal-fired power facilities in North Macedonia. Unit 3 was taken offline on 14 April after a pipe rupture occurred in the boiler system, requiring an immediate disconnection from the national electricity grid.
To maintain system stability, the operator ESM has already initiated preparations to return another unit to service. Unit 1 is expected to be synchronized with the grid shortly, with reconnection planned for the following day.
The incident occurred while the plant was already operating at reduced capacity. Favorable hydrological conditions and lower electricity demand had allowed the facility to run with only one active unit, a mode of operation that is expected to continue in the near term despite the disruption.
Authorities stated that switching to an alternative unit is aimed at ensuring continuous electricity supply while repair works are carried out on the affected equipment.
