North Macedonia: Installation Of Photovoltaic Facilities At The Streževo

North Macedonia's state-owned water management utility Hidrosistem Streževo has installed a 500 kW photovoltaic power plant on its Stre stre evo dam. In the region, land near reservoir DAMS and such lakes is increasingly welcoming to install solar power plants.

JP Hidrosistem Streževo is in charge of managing the reservoir created by the construction of the Streževo. The company supplies water for irrigation in part of the Pelagonija region, for parts of the city of Bitola near its location, and for industry and flood control in this part of North Macedonia. Hydroelectric systems are also used to generate electricity.

The company operates five small hydro power plants (SHPP) with a total installed capacity of 3,710 kW and an annual generating capacity of 12 GWh. The 500-kilowatt solar plant will increase the company's power generation by about 700 megawatt-hours.

Metodije Gramatkovski, CEO of Hidrosistem Strezevo, said the company is the first listed company in North Macedonia to use its funds to build a photovoltaic plant. It has invested 30 million Macedonian dinars (about 487,000 euros) in photovoltaic facilities.

Gramatkovski: Rational, efficient and multi-purpose use of water resources

He stressed that the company uses water rationally and efficiently and for multiple purposes: irrigation and energy production.

This is the first photovoltaic plant in Hidrosistem Streževo. As the company has received a construction permit with a capacity of up to 1 MW, there is still the possibility of building a second one.

This investment will increase revenue and contribute to the country's goal of increasing clean energy use.

JP Hidrosistem Streževo intends to sell electricity on the market, Gramatkowski said, adding that he expects the investment to pay off in the short term.

More and more photovoltaic power plants are being installed near the reservoir

Land near reservoir DAMS and artificial lakes is increasingly welcoming for installation of photovoltaic facilities.

This is a good combination, as the land is usually not available for other uses, but the infrastructure is well equipped.