Winds of change for Shtip’s path to renewable energy leadership
This case study explores the Shtip project in North Macedonia, a groundbreaking initiative that will establish the largest onshore wind farm in the country. Backed by a $500 million investment from Alcazar Energy Partners, the project will have a capacity of up to 400 MW, marking a significant leap in North Macedonia’s renewable energy capabilities. Positioned 75 km south of Skopje, between the municipalities of Karbinci, Shtip and Radovish, Shtip wind farm is pivotal in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
About
The project content highlights how this wind farm will drastically increase North Macedonia’s wind capacity, creating over 630 construction jobs and providing clean energy to power over 100,000 households annually. Additionally, it will avoid the release of over 670,000 tons of CO₂-equivalent emissions per year, contributing to the region’s energy security and supporting North Macedonia’s transition to sustainable energy.
Challenges:
The project aims to address the following issues:
- High dependency on fossil fuels, particularly coal, results in substantial greenhouse gas emissions and contributes to air pollution and environmental degradation.
- Insufficient renewable energy infrastructure hampers North Macedonia’s transition to clean energy and limits progress toward meeting its national and international climate targets.
- Economic challenges in the energy sector, including frequent energy shortages, high import dependency, and rising costs, threaten energy security and economic stability.
- The need to align with EU environmental standards and global climate commitments requires regulatory reforms, investment in green technologies, and enhanced institutional capacity.
Solutions
The project aims to apply the following technical solutions:
Construction of a 400 MW onshore wind farm to dramatically increase the country’s renewable energy capacity.
Integration with North Macedonia’s existing grid, enhancing energy distribution and reducing reliance on imported energy.
Development of infrastructure to support large-scale wind energy production, including advanced turbines and grid connection systems.
Impacts
The Shtip project is a cornerstone in North Macedonia’s journey toward a greener future, playing a critical role in the country’s energy transition and contributing to the:
- Production of clean energy sufficient to power over 100,000 households annually, reducing energy costs and increasing energy independence.
- Avoidance of over 670,000 tons of CO₂-equivalent emissions per year, significantly lowering the country’s carbon footprint.
- Creation of more than 630 jobs during the construction phase, boosting the local economy and providing skilled employment opportunities.
- Reduction of energy shortages achieved by leveraging North Macedonia’s grid connections with Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Kosovo.