German support for ELEM energy projects

Germany will provide support in the amount of EUR 35 million for two energy projects of Macedonian Power Plants (ELEM). EUR 15 million will be used for completion of the Wind Farm Bogdanci, whereas the remaining EUR 20 million for revitalization project of Spilje 2 hydro plant.

Vice Premier and Finance Minister Zoran Stavreski and German Ambassador to Macedonia Gudrun Steinacker signed Thursday an agreement between the Governments of Macedonia and Germany over financial cooperation in "Programme Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energies Stage III", as well as the loan agreement between Germany's KfW bank and ELEM.

"Today's signing of the agreement secures funds required for realization of significant projects in the sector of renewable energy sources, thus getting closer to the objective of 20-percent electricity production from such sources by 2020", said Minister Stavreski after the signing.

He stressed the EUR 15 million for the Bogdanci Wind Farm would complete its construction, whereas the EUR 20 million for Spilje 2 hydro plant would increase its output.

Ambassador Steinacker hoped the realization of the two projects would not represent the end of the bilateral cooperation.

"I believe these projects will be the start of further cooperation in the energy field between the two countries", added Steinacker.

KfW bank representative Esther Gravenkoetter said the bank has invested EUR 270 million in Macedonia thus far.

"We would like to support Macedonia on its road to the EU and electricity production without greenhouse gas emissions. The Bogdanci Wind Farm will supply more than 20,000 families with pure wind-produced energy in less than two years", she added.

ELEM director Dejan Boskovski said the financial framework of the first wind-generated facility for electricity production has been confirmed.

"The windmills are currently in Thessaloniki and their mounting should start by the end of August. If everything goes according to plans, we expect the wind farm to become a part of Macedonia's energy system by the year-end", said Boskovski.

He added the increase of Spilje hydro plant's installed capacity by 70mw would up the share of electricity production from renewable energy sources.

Starting December direct flights Skopje - Berlin

Minister of Transport, Communications Mile Janakieski and representatives of a German carrier agreed Wednesday on launching a direct Skopje-Berlin flight in December.

As of December 20, the carrier 'Fly Germania' will offer a direct flight from Skopje to Berlin to the citizens of Macedonia every Monday and Friday, the Ministry of Transport and Communications said in a press release.

The meeting also reviewed possibilities for the German carrier to also introduce flights to Hamburg, Stuttgart and Frankfurt.

The German carrier, established 26 years ago, operates with a fleet of 18 passenger aircraft.

The Ministry believes that an introduction of new destinations will increase the number of passengers, as well as the frequency of flights within Macedonia's air space.

The Ministry will keep working on attracting new, renowned airlines to operate in Macedonia, the press release reads.

Kromberg & Schubert in Bitola

Germany-based company Kromberg & Schubert will start building a plant in Bitola in December. The long awaited plant for production of car cables will start employing workers as of May. At first, it will hire 500 people and then the number will grow to 2,500 people.
Moreover, another six investments in Bitola are expected. They pertain to construction of hotels, but some investors are also interested in timber, food and milk industry. In the meantime, the government’s team presented investment possibilities in Macedonia last week.
Several Austrian and German companies have already announced that they are interested in investing in Macedonia. Allegedly, Siemens and BMW are among the interested investors. Moreover, the government team has already agreed cooperation with Teksport, which already has two plants in Macedonia.