Hidrosistem Streževo, the state-owned water management utility in North Macedonia, has installed a 500-kilowatt photovoltaic (PV) plant on its Streževo dam. In the region, the installation of solar power plants is increasingly welcome on land near reservoir dams and such lakes.
JP Hidrosistem Streževo is responsible for the management of the reservoir created by the construction of the Streževo Dam. It provides water for irrigation to a part of the Pelagonija region, water supply to a part of the municipality of Bitola near its location, and water for industry and flood control in this part of Northern Macedonia. The hydro system is also used to generate electricity.
The company operates five small hydroelectric power plants (SHPP) with a total installed capacity of 3,710 kW and an annual generation capacity of 12 GWh. The 500 kW solar power plant will increase the company's generation capacity by about 700 MWh.
Hidrosistem Strezevo CEO Metodije Gramatkovski said the company is the first listed company in North Macedonia to use its capital to build a PV plant. It has invested MKD 30,000,000 (about EUR 487,000) in the PV facility.
Gramatkovski: rational, efficient and multi-purpose use of water resources
He emphasized that the company uses water resources rationally and efficiently and for multiple purposes: irrigation and energy production.
This is the first photovoltaic plant of Hidrosistem Strezevo. There is still a possibility of building a second one, as the company has already received a construction license for a capacity of up to 1 MW.
This investment will increase revenues and contribute to the state's goal of increasing the use of clean energy.
Gramatkovsky said that JP Hidrosistem Strezevo intends to sell electricity on the market, adding that he expects the investment to pay off in the short term.
More and more PV plants are being installed near reservoirs
Land near reservoir dams and artificial lakes is becoming more and more welcoming for the installation of photovoltaic installations.
This is a good combination, as these lands are usually not available for other uses, but are well equipped with infrastructure.