Solar power plant on the site of former open pit mines
This case study examines North Macedonia’s strategic initiative to transition from fossil fuel dependency to renewable energy through the development of a 10 MW solar power plant at the site of the former Oslomej coal mine.
About
Faced with the challenges of dwindling coal supplies and environmental criticism, North Macedonia, in collaboration with ELEM, embarked on this project to harness solar energy as part of its broader decarbonization efforts.
Challenges:
- North Macedonia has been heavily reliant on coal, particularly lignite, for its energy needs. The country has faced challenges with coal supply and increasing environmental concerns due to pollution from its coal-fired power plants.
- The site of the Oslomej coal mine has been unsuitable for agriculture or other uses, due to non-rehabilitation efforts after the mining-related processes. TPP Oslomej has also been facing difficulties with sufficient quantities of coal, but also with criticism for environmental pollution, which is why it was shut down in June 2018.
- North Macedonia imports a significant portion of its electricity. The Oslomej solar plant is a step toward increasing domestic energy production and diversifying energy sources. By doing so, the project enhances the country’s energy security and reduces its vulnerability to energy imports.
Solutions
The project involves the construction of a 10 MW solar power plant on the site of an exhausted coal mine in Oslomej.
The Oslomej solar plant is a step toward increasing domestic energy production and diversifying energy sources. By doing so, the project enhances the country’s energy security, making it less vulnerable to external energy supply disruptions and price fluctuations.
Economic and Social Transition: The project supports the economic transition from coal by creating new jobs in the renewable energy sector, helping to mitigate the social impact of coal plant closures. It includes initiatives to retrain workers and offers new employment opportunities in the construction and operation of the solar plant.
Impacts
- The plant is expected to produce nearly 15 GWh of electricity, equivalent to the energy demand of 2,800 households, and displace 12,177 tonnes of CO2 annually.
- The Oslomej 1 photovoltaic power plant is part of a broader effort to transition from the coal-dependency to renewable energy sources. By repurposing the exhausted Oslomej coal mine into a solar power facility, the project directly contributes to the country’s decarbonization efforts.