In a notable shift within North Macedonia’s energy landscape, solar energy has officially surpassed hydropower in terms of installed capacity as of 2025. This development marks a significant milestone for the country’s electricity sector, highlighting the growing importance of renewable sources in the national energy mix.
The annual report from the Regulatory Commission for Energy (RKE) indicates that North Macedonia expanded its total installed electricity generation capacity by 178.6 MW during 2025. The majority of this increase was attributed to new solar installations, which accounted for 115 MW, complemented by the addition of two wind farms with a combined capacity of 64 MW.
This surge in solar projects has elevated the total solar capacity to 962.6 MW, positioning it as the second-largest source of electricity generation in the country, following thermal power plants at 1,034 MW. In contrast, hydropower has dropped to third place with an installed capacity of 719.9 MW.
<pRenewable energy production has continued its upward trend, with output from these sources increasing by 11.43% year-on-year. The share of renewables in North Macedonia’s electricity mix has risen significantly from 41% to 46.4%, reflecting a broader transition towards sustainable energy solutions.
Despite these advancements, thermal power plants still dominate the overall generation landscape, contributing 35.39% of total production. Hydropower follows at 21.57%, while solar energy accounts for 19.28%, and cogeneration plants make up 18.23%.
A pivotal change in the market dynamics is that solar generation has now outpaced cogeneration output for the first time, with solar power plants generating approximately 1,180 GWh, compared to 1,116 GWh from cogeneration units.
Aco Ristov, Chairman of RKE, reported that total electricity production in North Macedonia reached 6,123 GWh in 2025, remaining relatively stable compared to the previous year. He emphasized the robust growth in variable renewable sources, noting that wind generation increased by 32.5%, while solar output saw a rise of 27.7% year-on-year.
The emergence of battery storage systems is also becoming a critical component of North Macedonia’s energy transition strategy. In 2025, RKE issued seven licenses for electricity storage systems associated with solar projects, totaling an installed capacity of 7.1 MW. Ristov highlighted that these battery systems will play an increasingly vital role in balancing excess renewable generation and enhancing system efficiency by redistributing electricity from periods of surplus to peak demand times.
The deployment of storage technology is anticipated to lower overall system costs by improving grid stability and facilitating more effective utilization of renewable energy resources.
