North Macedonia is moving closer to independently advancing the long-delayed Čebren and Galište hydropower project, a major energy investment that could significantly reshape the country’s electricity sector and strengthen regional water management capabilities.
Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski announced that the Government is seriously considering developing the 333 MW hydropower complex without a private concession partner, after numerous previous attempts to attract investors failed. The project, located on the Crna River, is estimated to require around €1.5 billion in investment.
To support the undertaking, authorities have opened discussions with international financial institutions regarding a potential syndicated financing package. According to Government estimates, the project’s strategic importance extends beyond North Macedonia, offering broader benefits for the Western Balkans region.
The planned hydropower project is designed to serve multiple functions. In addition to generating electricity, the future reservoirs would provide significant water storage capacity, helping to mitigate the increasing impacts of climate variability and drought conditions. The infrastructure is also expected to improve irrigation for approximately 60,000 hectares of agricultural land downstream from the existing Tikveš hydropower facility, an area known for its strong agricultural output, particularly vineyards and wine production.
The decision to pursue the project directly comes after a series of unsuccessful development attempts spanning several decades. Most recently, progress stalled after a consortium of Greek companies failed to meet the conditions required to finalize a concession agreement with the Government.
Officials believe the project could become one of the most important infrastructure investments in the country, combining renewable electricity generation, water resource management, and agricultural support within a single integrated system.
If financing arrangements are secured, the Cebren and Galište development would represent one of the largest energy projects ever undertaken in North Macedonia, with the potential to significantly strengthen both national energy security and regional resource resilience.
