Welcome to SHAREs+ in North Macedonia

Citizen participation in energy projects in North Macedonia has traditionally been limited, and the concept of energy communities has only recently begun to enter the national policy landscape. The country’s energy sector has long been characterized by centralized governance and infrastructure, with renewable energy initiatives predominantly developed and managed by companies rather than citizens. In North Macedonia, SHAREs+ addresses these needs through targeted activities implemented by SDEWES Skopje.

Over the past few years, awareness of community energy models has gradually increased, supported by European policy developments and regional cooperation initiatives. The adoption of the new Energy Law in 2025, which formally introduces the concept of energy communities, represents a significant legislative milestone toward recognizing citizen-led collective energy action. Despite this progress, the regulatory framework remains incomplete, as secondary legislation and practical implementation guidelines have yet to be developed. 

Within the SHAREs+ project, North Macedonia is one of the four replication countries (alongside Cyprus, Romania and Ukraine) where support mechanisms and policy dialogue are needed to stimulate the emergence of new energy communities. SDEWES Skopje contributes to the project across several work packages, including the analysis of barriers to energy communities, stakeholder engagement, and the development of national support tools and resources.

A key objective of SHAREs+ is the establishment of national information hubs - the SHAREs+ Gateways - which serve as centralized platforms providing structured guidance, practical tools and resources for citizens, municipalities and other stakeholders interested in launching or joining energy communities.

The Macedonian Gateway will consolidate currently fragmented knowledge on regulatory procedures, financing options and technical requirements into a single accessible resource. It will translate European and national legislation into clear, practical language, provide step-by-step guidance for establishing energy communities, and offer downloadable templates and decision-support tools. The Gateway will also address thematic areas of particular relevance for North Macedonia, including sustainable business models and innovative financing opportunities.

Another key element of the SHAREs+ approach is the establishment of National Citizen Energy Forums (NCEFs). These forums bring together representatives from government institutions, local authorities, NGOs, energy cooperatives, academia and other stakeholders to discuss barriers, exchange experiences and co-develop practical recommendations for improving the enabling environment for energy communities.

In North Macedonia, the first NCEF meetings will focus on validating the findings of the barrier mapping process and identifying priority actions for supporting citizen-led renewable energy initiatives.

Three pilot citizen energy initiatives are planned in North Macedonia within the SHAREs+ project, each demonstrating different models of collective renewable energy use:

Heat pumps and collective PV in Karpoš. The first pilot focuses on the installation of heat pumps and collective photovoltaic (PV) systems in multi-apartment residential buildings in the Municipality of Karpoš, supporting building communities in jointly investing in renewable energy solutions for heating and electricity generation.

Solar PV in Tetovo (0.1 MW). The second pilot involves the development of a 0.1 MW solar PV installation, demonstrating the potential for community-based renewable electricity production at the local level.

Solar PV in Kičevo (0.05 MW). A smaller 0.05 MW solar PV installation will serve as an additional example of citizen-led renewable energy implementation in a smaller municipality.

Together, these pilots will test different community energy models and provide practical experience for stakeholders, contributing to the broader development of energy communities in North Macedonia.

SDEWES Skopje brings relevant prior experience to SHAREs+, having been actively involved in research and capacity-building activities related to energy communities in Southeast Europe. Through previous EU-funded initiatives, SDEWES Skopje conducted an in-depth analysis of the policy and regulatory landscape for energy communities in North Macedonia, mapped existing barriers to citizen-led renewable energy projects, and facilitated cross-border knowledge transfer with partner countries in the region. This experience confirmed that limited awareness and understanding among citizens and organizations regarding the benefits and financial viability of collective renewable energy projects remains a key challenge, often leading to hesitation in participating or co-investing. It also highlighted the need for stronger knowledge-sharing mechanisms, clear communication of successful examples, accessible advisory services, cooperation between municipalities, NGOs, SMEs and the private sector to build local capacity, support pilot initiatives, and develop sustainable business models. These lessons directly inform the design and implementation of SHAREs+ activities in North Macedonia.

Despite the inclusion of energy communities in the new Energy Law, North Macedonia must still close key legislative gaps to unlock their full potential. The inability to formally register energy communities remains a major constraint, limiting their capacity to participate in renewable energy projects. Secondary legislation that clearly defines the rights and obligations of all entities involved – including suppliers, distribution system operators and community members – is urgently needed, along with effective mechanisms for monitoring and governance.

Improving financial accessibility by reducing unnecessary administrative burdens and setup costs, and promoting social inclusion by encouraging local governments to involve citizens at risk of energy poverty, will be equally important. By addressing these challenges, North Macedonia can harness community energy to accelerate its energy transition and build more resilient local communities.

Report from the SHAREs+ session at the “Electrification led by citizens” conference held in Skopje on 22 January 2026.

• SHAREs+ Session addresses energy community barriers and introduces the National Citizen Energy Forum

Articles on energy community development in North Macedonia and the broader Southeast European region.

• Report on the state of the art – North Macedonia

• The future of energy communities in Southeast Europe

SDEWES Skopje (Macedonian section of the International Centre for Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems) gathers professionals and scientists from a broad range of disciplines of sustainable development of energy, water and environment systems. SDEWES Skopje provides scientific support for evidence-based policymaking in areas including climate change mitigation, sustainable development planning, renewable energy sources and energy efficiency.

Email: shares.plus.sdewes@sdewes.org