The solar power plant in Tenovo, with 1.2 MW output, is one of 27 concessions signed last May, after the conclusion of a tender for the construction of solar power plants with combined installed capacity of 21 MW on privately-owned land, which was launched in 2019. This SPP is the first solar plant commissioned within the program of awarding concessions for such facilities on private land.
North Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev, who attended the opening ceremony, said that the country is currently building 60 MW in solar power based on the premiums model, adding that investments in renewable energy will accelerate decarbonization process.
He said that many new locations have been allocated for the construction of solar system. For example, in Stip municipality, 477 hectares that were previously intended for the construction of airport could support solar power plants with installed capacity between 300 and 350 MW. There are also locations in Bitola, at the depleted coalmine, which could support up to 120 MW in solar power and location in Kavardarci with potential for up to 100 MW.
PM Zaev reminded that North Macedonia increased its renewable energy output by 10.1 % in 2020, reaching a total of 827 MW.
Last May, the Government of North Macedonia signed contracts for the construction of solar power plants with combined installed capacity of 21 MW on privately-owned land with 23 investors. The power plants, with installed capacity of 1, 2, 5 and 10 MW, will be backed by Government premiums for 15 years after production starts, with the three-year deadline for their construction. The tender for the construction of solar parks on private land was launched in August 2019. For the total offered 27 MW installed capacity, a total of 44 bids were received, of which 11 bids for solar power plants with installed capacity from 0 to 200 kW, from 201-500 kW 10 offers in total, from 501 kW to 1 MW 19 offers and from 1 to 3 MW were received 4 bids. Taking into account the bids submitted for construction of solar power plants on state land, a total of 126 bids from interested investors have been received for a total of 62 MW of installed capacity.
