In recent years, North Macedonia has seen consistent growth in installed solar power capacity, reflecting rising interest and investment in renewable energy. According to data from the Regulatory Commission for Energy (RKE), the country had reached 848 MW of installed solar capacity by the end of 2024.
The pace of development has been rapid. In 2022, 272 new power plants were commissioned, 254 of which were solar. In 2023, 531 new facilities were added, with 527 being solar. In 2024, another 349 plants began operations, 345 of them photovoltaic. By the end of 2024, North Macedonia had a total of 1,494 renewable energy power plants, representing nearly 56% of the country’s total installed capacity.
The Ministry of Energy, Mining and Mineral Resources noted that while this expansion supports the country’s energy transition, it also places additional pressure on transmission and distribution networks. Although some network capacity is already utilized, opportunities remain for new connections, particularly in areas where the network has been upgraded or further investments are planned. In 2024, RKE issued 299 licenses with a combined installed capacity of nearly 330 MW. Between January and August 2025, the commission granted 115 new licenses for solar plants, adding 110.39 MW of capacity. Officials highlight that the further expansion of solar energy will depend on network development and close coordination among energy institutions, system operators, and investors. With careful planning and investment, new solar facilities can be integrated while maintaining system stability, security, and sustainability.
RKE’s 2024 annual report shows that solar plants contributed 13.91% of total electricity generation. Hydropower accounted for 18.08%, small hydropower plants 5.02%, wind farms 3.16%, and biogas plants 0.86%. Overall, renewable energy sources produced 41.03% of the country’s electricity, totaling 2,514 GWh.