The government of North Macedonia has approved its annual plan for the construction of energy facilities in 2026, paving the way for nearly 4.42 GW of new clean power generation capacity dominated by solar, alongside wind and gas, in addition to more than 2 GW of energy storage.

The plan, presented by energy, mining and mineral resources minister Sanja Bozhinovska, envisages total investments of about EUR 3.74 billion in new power generation assets, following the approval of 67 initiatives for power plants of at least 1 MW. The projects were selected from 284 proposals submitted under a public call launched in September 2025.

Of the accepted projects, 59 envisage the construction of solar plants totalling 3,014 MW, representing a total investment of EUR 2.11 billion, while seven call for the construction of wind farms totalling 907.7 MW and estimated at EUR 1.18 billion. In addition, there is one 495-MW gas-fired co-generation plant approved, representing a EUR-445.5-million investment.

A significant component of the plant envisages the installation of energy storage systems, described by the ministry as crucial for the stability and flexibility of the power system. The construction strategy foresees 96 projects with a combined capacity of 2,027 MW/4,960MWh.

The energy storage projects include 77 integrated systems paired with existing or new power plants, totalling 1,389MW/3,465 MWh. There are also 19 standalone facilities of a combined 637.5 MW/1,495 MWh.

The annual plan also incorporates 56 energy projects proposed under municipal energy plans submitted by seven municipalities — Makedonski Brod, Lozovo, Debarca, Kavadarci, Kumanovo, Brvenica and Kocani. These include solar plants with a total installed capacity of around 52 MW and 61 energy storage systems with a total capacity of nearly 28 MW/118 MWh.

According to the ministry, the plan is supported by preliminary grid and market analyses from a draft integrated study prepared by transmission system operator MEPSO and power distribution system operator Elektrodistribucija, in cooperation with the ministry.