North Macedonia is making significant strides in its energy infrastructure, with construction on the Bitola–Elbasan interconnection to Albania set to break ground this March.
Scheduled for completion within a 30-month, this is only the first phase of a wider plan to reinforce the East–West corridor; which will soon connect the country with Kosovo, effectively connecting the Western Balkans into a more integrated power system.
This significant project extends its impact across Southeast Europe, backed by technical support from the Western Balkans Investment Framework to drive the Bitola–Meliti upgrade with Greece, beside a new project with Bulgaria between Strumica and Sandanski. Ultimately, these links are changing the region from separate power grids into one connected network.
During an event in Thessaloniki for the launch of a new regional interconnectivity initiative, Sanja Božinovska, North Macedonia’s Minister of Energy, Mining, and Mineral Resources, highlighted why these projects matter. She explained that modern power grids are more than just a part of the green transition; they are a critical pillar for regional energy security. According to the Minister, stronger cross-border links and smart grids are essential for keeping the system stable, allowing countries to exchange electricity more easily, and paving the way for more renewable energy in the future.
As mentioned earlier, this is only the first phase of a wider plan to reinforce the East–West corridor. But how exactly will this help? On a practical level, these projects are going to change the energy landscape by making the region much more secure. By opening up cross-border trading, we can expect to see lower electricity costs for everyone. More importantly, it speeds up our integration with the European energy market and truly puts Southeast Europe on the map as a key corridor for energy exchange.
With many large-scale infrastructure projects expanding across the Balkans, the focus is naturally shifting toward the practical side of financing and delivery. This will be central to the discussion at our upcoming event, the 10th Balkans Energy Summit, taking place in Athens, Greece, from 19–20 May.
Specifically, a dedicated panel titled "Financing Energy Security & Infrastructure in Southeast Europe" will explore the various financial instruments available across the gas, power, and renewable sectors. The discussion will look at critical issues like risk and how to make these projects attractive for investment ,which is exactly what's needed to get these plans off the ground and actually started.
Source:https://balkangreenenergynews.com/bozinovska-interconnections-crucial-for-western-balkans-energy-security
.png)
