North Macedonia is preparing another major investment cycle in the Crni Drim hydropower system, targeting extensive refurbishment of HPP Globocica and HPP Spilje as it seeks to strengthen domestic generation from existing assets.
Both plants have been operating for more than half a century. Globocica entered service in 1965, followed by Spilje in 1969. Rather than replacing them, the planned programme is designed to extend their operating lives for decades.
Works are expected to cover generators, rotors, bearings, block transformers and hydromechanical equipment. The objective is to improve reliability and efficiency while reducing the operational risks associated with ageing plant.
Globocica has already been uprated from its original 34.5 MW to 42.5 MW and has generated more than 10,500 GWh over its operating life. Spilje has 84 MW of installed capacity.
Globocica’s recent performance also demonstrates why the government sees refurbishment as an attractive source of additional domestic energy. The plant produced 120 GWh in the first half of 2026, almost 19% above plan, equivalent to around 80% of its full-year target in only six months.
The Crni Drim system could eventually host additional assets. Projects under consideration include Globocica 2, Spilje 2 and a floating solar plant on the Spilje reservoir.
North Macedonia also plans to modernise systems controlling water releases and water levels in Lake Ohrid and the Crni Drim. That means the investment programme is evolving from conventional plant refurbishment toward wider optimisation of the hydro system.
For a country seeking to reduce electricity-import exposure, extending the life of existing dispatchable renewable generation may offer a faster route to increased domestic reliability than relying solely on greenfield capacity.
