A national gas pipeline belongs to all citizens and presents new opportunities for the country. Instead of depending on one gas source, which monopolized the market, we can also import gas from Azerbaijan, the U.S., etc. We’ve expressed interest in taking part in the construction of the Alexandroupolis gas pipeline, a geostrategic project supported by the U.S., Prime Minister Zoran Zaev said in an interview with Kapital.
Analysis, he said, showed that North Macedonia should invest in the Alexandroupolis LNG terminal to secure ownership of a gas terminal based in Greece.
He added that the investment ensures safe, stable and risk-free gas supply for the country. The construction of the North Macedonia – Greece Interconnector is an EUR 54 million project, of which EUR 14 million are procured through a Western Balkan investment grant.
PM Zaev stressed that the government, in line with global trends, has focused on investing in sectors of energy efficiency, digitalization and modern technologies that ensure economic progress.
“Photovoltaic power plants are being constructed to replace the old “Oslomej” mining site, an investment worth EUR 60 million. Moreover, the “Negotino” thermal power station will either be transformed into a gas-fired power plant through public-private partnership, or it will be sold. Investment in this project stands at EUR 200-500 million,” Zaev said, adding that grants have been procured for feasibility studies for construction of three new photovoltaic power plants within REK Bitola.
Zaev also discussed in the interview the launch of the second phase in the construction of the Bogdanci 2 wind park set to take place in 2021. This investment is worth EUR 21 million.
Moreover, the PM gave an update on the “Chebren” project worth EUR 600-800, which after an 11-year wait has entered the next phase, with major European and Chinese companies expressing interest in it.
He also discussed in the interview infrastructure, energy and capital investments, worth some Mden 23 billion.
In 2020, Zaev noted, realization of capital investments in the budget stood at 80% in respect to projections, an improvement compared to the 77.6% in 2019.
However, he added, projections for realization of capital investments in the 2021 budget stand at approximately Mden 23 billion, a 20% increase compared to last year’s projections.
“The construction of Corridor 8 is a crucial capital project. Additionally, there’s construction and rehabilitation of highways and regional roads across the country,” Zaev said, adding that some Mden 3.2 billion should be invested in realization of capital projects by 2025.
Regarding economic growth projections in the upcoming period, Zaev noted that the country is also set to invest in human potential, putting focus in the 2021 budget on the strategy for economic recovery and accelerated growth based on four pillars: achieving economic recovery from COVID-19; ensuring accelerated, inclusive and sustainable economic growth; strengthening private sector competitiveness; developing human resources and equal opportunities in order to ensure macroeconomic stability and financial sustainability, economic recovery and accelerate economic growth.
