From Gevgelija’s hills to north Macedonian homes
This case study highlights the Dren Wind Power Project, set to significantly increase North Macedonia’s wind energy capacity with its expected start of construction in 2025.
About
Challenges:
The Dren Wind Power Project in North Macedonia aims to address several key challenges:
- North Macedonia has been reliant on imported fossil fuels, which makes it vulnerable to energy price fluctuations and supply uncertainties. This dependence hampers the country’s energy security and economic stability.
- The current energy infrastructure contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbating environmental degradation and climate change. The country faces pressure to reduce its carbon footprint and align with global climate goals.
- The economy of North Macedonia requires diversification, particularly in the energy sector, to ensure sustainable growth. There is a need to create new job opportunities and stimulate local economies, especially in regions that have been traditionally underdeveloped.
- With an aging infrastructure, North Macedonia’s energy grid struggles with stability and efficiency. There is a need to modernize and expand the grid to handle new, variable renewable energy sources effectively.
- As part of the Western Balkans, North Macedonia must improve its energy connectivity with neighboring countries. This involves addressing regional energy shortages and enhancing cooperation within the Southeast Europe energy market.
Solutions
The Dren Wind Power Project in North Macedonia incorporates several technical solutions aimed at ensuring efficient and reliable wind energy generation:
The project focuses heavily on electrification and automation systems. This includes the design, engineering, procurement, assembly, testing, and commissioning of all electrical components necessary for the wind farm’s operation. The use of advanced automation ensures that the wind turbines operate optimally, adjusting to wind conditions in real-time and minimizing downtime.
The project involves the installation of nine wind turbines in total, with the first phase comprising seven turbines with a combined capacity of 34 MW and a subsequent phase adding two more turbines totaling 10 MW.
The project includes solutions for integrating the generated power into North Macedonia’s national grid. This is critical for ensuring that the electricity produced is efficiently distributed and used, supporting the country’s energy needs and contributing to regional energy security. The focus on grid connection also allows for the export of surplus energy to neighboring countries, enhancing the economic viability of the project.
Impacts
- The Dren Wind Power Project in North Macedonia is expected to displace approximately 50,000 to 70,000 tons of CO2 annually,