Report on Zen Energy Group’s Hybrid Renewable Energy Project in North Macedonia and its Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

Project Overview and Alignment with SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)

Luxembourg-based Zen Energy Group has initiated the construction phase of a hybrid renewable energy project in North Macedonia, significantly contributing to the advancement of Sustainable Development Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy). The project integrates a utility-scale solar power plant with a battery energy storage system (BESS), enhancing the reliability and accessibility of clean energy for the nation.

• Project Type: Hybrid Solar Power Plant and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS).
• Location: Near Negotino, North Macedonia.
• Objective: To increase the share of renewable energy in the national grid, ensuring access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy, directly supporting SDG 7.

Advancing SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and SDG 13 (Climate Action)

This development represents a major investment in resilient and sustainable infrastructure, a key target of SDG 9. The combination of solar generation with battery storage is an innovative approach to grid management and a critical step in modernizing the country’s energy infrastructure. By generating clean electricity, the project directly addresses SDG 13 by taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

1. Solar Capacity: 82 MW.
2. Energy Storage Capacity: 50 MWh BESS.
3. Technology: LONGi bifacial solar panels.
4. Expected Annual Production: 124,198 MWh of green electricity.

Project Timeline and Economic Impact (SDG 8)

The construction timeline is set to deliver tangible benefits in line with SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by creating employment opportunities and stimulating local economic activity during the development and operational phases.

• Construction Start: Earthworks, access road development, and cut-and-fill activities have commenced.
• Initial Grid Connection: Scheduled to begin delivering electricity by late April 2026.
• Full Commercial Operation: Targeted for August 2026.

Strategic Partnerships and Financial Framework (SDG 17)

The project exemplifies SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through its collaborative financial and operational structure. A multi-stakeholder approach involving private enterprise, financial institutions, and energy off-takers is crucial for the successful implementation of large-scale sustainable development projects.

• Financing: Secured from NLB bank.
• Power Purchase Agreement (PPA): A 10-year agreement has been signed, featuring a six-year fixed-price period, ensuring financial stability and project viability.

Zen Energy Group’s Broader Regional Commitment to Sustainable Energy

The Negotino project is part of a larger portfolio of seven energy investments by Zen Energy Group, demonstrating a sustained commitment to advancing SDGs 7 and 13 across Southeast Europe and the UK. This regional strategy amplifies the company’s impact on the global transition to clean energy.

• North Macedonia: Two solar projects (Negotino 82 MW and Armatus 55 MW), both with BESS.
• Romania: Two wind farms (Unirea 102 MW and Traian 78 MW) and the Lacu Sarat standalone BESS facility.
• Serbia: The Hajdučica 125 MW solar project, which will also include a BESS.
• United Kingdom: A portfolio of commercial and industrial (C&I) projects.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

  The article’s primary focus is on the construction of a hybrid energy project combining a solar power plant and a battery energy storage system. This directly relates to providing clean and modern energy, as the project is described as delivering “green electricity” and advancing “clean energy generation.”

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

  The development of an “82 MW utility-scale solar project with 50 MWh BESS” represents a significant investment in new, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure. The project involves earthworks, access roads, and the installation of advanced technology like bifacial solar panels, which aligns with upgrading infrastructure with clean technologies.

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  By generating 124,198 MWh of renewable energy annually, the project is a direct climate change mitigation measure. It contributes to reducing reliance on fossil fuels and thus helps in combating climate change and its impacts, which is the core objective of SDG 13.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The project is a collaboration between multiple entities. It involves a Luxembourg-based private company (Zen Energy Group), a financial institution (“financing was secured from NLB bank”), and a long-term “power purchase agreement (PPA) for 10 years.” This illustrates a public-private partnership model to achieve sustainable development goals.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 7.2: Increase the share of renewable energy

   The article explicitly states the project will add an 82 MW solar plant to the national grid, with an expected annual production of 124,198 MWh. This directly contributes to increasing the proportion of renewable energy in North Macedonia’s energy mix.

2. Target 7.a: Promote investment in clean energy

   The project, developed by a Luxembourg-based group in North Macedonia and financed by NLB bank, is a clear example of international cooperation and investment in clean energy infrastructure and technology (solar panels and BESS).

3. Target 9.1: Develop sustainable and resilient infrastructure

   The construction of a utility-scale solar plant combined with a battery energy storage system is a development of quality, sustainable, and resilient energy infrastructure that supports the national grid.

4. Target 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure with clean technologies

   The project involves the adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies, specifically “LONGi bifacial solar panels” and a “50 MWh BESS,” to make energy generation more sustainable.

5. Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into policies and planning

   The implementation of a large-scale renewable energy project like this one is a tangible outcome of integrating climate change mitigation measures into national energy planning and strategy.

6. Target 17.17: Encourage effective public-private partnerships

   The article highlights the partnership structure involving the developer (Zen Energy Group), a financier (NLB bank), and an off-taker through a PPA. This is a model public-private partnership for mobilizing resources for sustainable infrastructure.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for Target 7.2:

  The article provides quantifiable data that can be used to measure the renewable energy share. The specific indicators are the installed capacity of the solar plant (82 MW) and its expected annual electricity production (124,198 MWh).

• Indicator for Target 7.a:

  The mention of “financing was secured from NLB bank” implies a financial flow towards a clean energy project. The total investment amount, while not specified, would serve as a direct indicator of international financial flows for renewable energy production.

• Indicator for Target 9.4:

  The generation of “green electricity” implies a reduction in CO2 emissions. The annual production of 124,198 MWh from a non-fossil fuel source is a direct measure that can be used to calculate the CO2 emissions avoided, which relates to the indicator of CO2 emission per unit of value added.

• Indicator for Target 17.17:

  The existence of a “power purchase agreement (PPA) for 10 years” and the secured financing from a commercial bank are concrete examples of a public-private partnership structure, which can be documented as an indicator of such collaborations.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: balkangreenenergynews.com