North Macedonia’s energy system showed a notable increase in domestic electricity output in April 2026, supported by strong growth in hydro and solar generation, alongside a continued decline in import dependence, according to data from the State Statistical Office.
Total electricity consumption in April reached 559,906 MWh, while 88.8% of demand was covered by domestic production, indicating a relatively high level of self-sufficiency for the period. This compares to a significantly higher reliance on imports a year earlier, reflecting improved generation performance across multiple sources.
Gross electricity production totaled 497,327 MWh, marking a 14.6% year-on-year increase. The structure of generation highlights a more diversified mix, with hydropower and solar playing a particularly strong role in the monthly balance.
Hydropower plants produced 173,298 MWh, accounting for 34.8% of total generation and rising by 31.6% year-on-year, making hydro the largest single source of electricity in April. Thermal power plants generated 157,331 MWh (31.6%), increasing by 3.4% compared to April 2025, while solar energy—including prosumers—contributed a significant 129,351 MWh (26%), underscoring the rapid expansion of distributed and utility-scale PV capacity in the country.
Other sources played smaller roles in the generation mix. Wind farms produced 31,435 MWh (6.3%), while CHP plants contributed 3,347 MWh (0.67%), although CHP output recorded a sharp increase of 189% year-on-year. Biogas facilities added 2,565 MWh, reflecting a marginal but stable contribution from bioenergy.
Fossil fuel use remained closely tied to electricity generation. Coal consumption reached 268,515 tons, with 99.9% of coal used for power production, confirming the continued dominance of coal in thermal generation. Natural gas consumption stood at 8.03 million cubic meters, while petroleum product consumption totaled 83,924 tons.
Despite strong domestic output growth, North Macedonia remained a net electricity importer in April, though import volumes declined significantly. Electricity imports fell to 107,651 MWh, compared to 156,224 MWh in April 2025, while exports increased to 45,072 MWh, up from 34,871 MWh a year earlier.
Overall, the data points to a power system in transition, with rising contributions from hydro and solar reducing import dependence, while thermal generation and coal remain important for system stability. The growing share of renewables—particularly solar at 26% of total generation—highlights the gradual reshaping of North Macedonia’s electricity mix.
