EVN Macedonia to invest over billion euros in distribution network

EVN Macedonia in the next twenty years will invest over one billion euros in new energy capacities in the distribution system, it is envisaged by EVN's Master Plan outlined on Tuesday.

The projects included in the Master Plan will be realised throughout Macedonia in an effort to improve the quality of energy distribution and supply.

"The one billion-euro investments mean better quality of the electric distribution network and energy efficiency of the system. Energy demand in the coming period will rise by two percent and our investments will address these predictions. By implementing the Master Plan, we are going to continue upgrading, reconstructing and modernising the network," said Werner Hengst - chairman of the EVN Macedonia Executive Board.

He noted that EVN Macedonia's commitment to improving the distribution system could be made possible after establishing a partnership and cooperation with all relevant institutions and the business sector.

The deputy PM in charge of economic affairs, Vladimir Pesevski said that the collaboration with energy companies played an important role in improving the business climate.

"One of the basic factors of an efficient economy is the existence of a stable and quality energy supply... This Master Plan is a chance to increase energy capacity for consumers. It demonstrates that Macedonia is a favourable destination for investments and that the business climate is attractive," Pesevski stated.

Minister of Economy Valon Saraqini noted that energy investments were the most crucial incentive of economic growth.

"The Ministry of Economy and the Government recently have adopted series of measures aimed at advancing the business climate. The foundation of every business is the access to energy and quality supply. Our task is to create an adequate energy policy. Therefore, a strategy for the development of the energy sector until 2020 has been enacted," Saraqini said.

With the Master Plan, he added, energy efficiency will be boosted.

The Master Plan was developed in the past five years by EVN Macedonia expert teams.

EVN Macedonia first entered the country's market seven years ago. In the meantime, the company has invested 196 million euros in the construction of a new network and reconstruction of the existing one.

Agreements on construction of 21 small hydro power plants

Twenty-one small hydro power plants with total installed capacity of 23MW and projected annual output of 87GWh are to be constructed in Macedonia over the next three years, an investment estimated at EUR 40 million.
Two Italian and eight Macedonian companies will build the hydro plants, following Monday's signing of the concession agreements at the Ministry of Economy.
Minister Valon Saraqini said the plants would be constructed at rivers Bistrica, Pena, Brza Voda, Kriva Reka, Odranska, Beloviska, Baciska, Jablanica, bringing the total number of concession agreements for small hydro plants to 68.
"The prior 47 agreements include plants with total installed capacity of 34,7MW and annual output of 140GWh", he added.
The total investment for all hydro power plants is worth EUR 100 million.The next procedure for allocation of water concessions for electricity production would be implemented by the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning, in line with the Law on Waters.

Macedonia signs 90m euros Power Plant deal with Bilfinger Berger

Bilfinger Berger is expanding its presence in the promising markets of Southeastern Europe with a major order in power plant service: the Group will modernize all three boilers in the lignite-burning power plant “TPP Bitola” which is part of JSC Macedonian Power Plants, the largest electricity generation company in Macedonia.
The order has a volume of about €90 million and additionally covers the long-term repair and maintenance of the facility. “TPP Bitola” is the most important power plant in the country and provides more than three quarters of Macedonia's electricity needs.
With the modernization, Bilfinger Berger is making a decisive contribution to the reduction of emissions at the power plant and to ensuring that it meets modern environmental standards.In the countries of Eastern Europe, great efforts are being undertaken to fulfill established climate protection requirements. In the next five years, up to 30 conventional power plants in Eastern European countries are to be modernized.
Macedonia is the first country to be follow through with its modernization plans.

Two companies submit bids for construction of hydro plants Cebren and Galiste

Two companies have submitted bids for the construction of hydro power plants Cebren and Galiste.Economy Minister Valon Saraqini said companies PPC from Greece and CWE from China submitted bids until the expiration of Thursday's deadline.
The tendering commission will complete the bids' evaluation by the month-end and submit it to the Government, which is to pass the final decision on the concessions.
PPC has said in its offer that Macedonian Power Plants (ELEM) is to own 28 percent of shares of the future power plants, whereas CWE has offered 40.5 percent. The share percentage offered to ELEM is the main criterion of the tender.
If the concessionaire is selected, the construction of Cebren and Galiste would begin in 1,5 year, following ELEM's completion of access roads and networking of the new power plants.