May 21, 2026
by in News

North Macedonia Moves Closer to European Green Electricity Certification System

North Macedonia’s National Electricity Market Operator, MEMO, has officially joined the Association of Issuing Bodies (AIB), marking an important step toward deeper integration with the European framework for guarantees of origin and cross-border renewable electricity trade.

The decision was confirmed during the General Assembly of the Association of Issuing Bodies, where MEMO became a full member of the Brussels-based European energy certification organization. The move comes as the Ministry of Energy, Mining and Mineral Resources and the Energy Community Secretariat continue efforts to advance the mutual recognition of guarantees of origin between the European Union and Energy Community countries.

Guarantees of origin are electronic certificates proving that a specific quantity of electricity has been generated from renewable energy sources. They are increasingly important for transparent energy markets, renewable energy producers, suppliers and companies seeking to demonstrate the use of green electricity in line with ESG and decarbonisation standards.

MEMO introduced its electronic registry for guarantees of origin in April last year, in cooperation with energy certificate company Grexel and in line with European Energy Certificate System rules and AIB standards. Since then, North Macedonia has issued around 500,000 guarantees of origin, with each certificate representing 1 MWh of electricity produced from renewable sources.

According to MEMO Chief Executive Officer Zoran Gjorgjievski, AIB membership enables the Macedonian guarantees of origin system to implement the procedures required for future accession to the European Energy Certificate System. This will allow the secure, transparent and internationally recognized issuance and trading of green electricity certificates.

He emphasized that further integration of North Macedonia’s electricity market with the European energy market is essential, as it creates new opportunities for renewable energy producers, suppliers and businesses while strengthening trust, competitiveness and investment attractiveness in the country’s renewable energy sector.

Denko Rafajlovski, Head of MEMO’s Renewable Energy Support Department, noted that guarantees of origin play a key role in promoting renewable energy and giving consumers greater transparency and choice over the source of the electricity they use. Through the AIB Hub, national registries are connected, enabling the efficient cross-border transfer of green certificates between countries.

MEMO became an observer member of AIB last year as a first step toward full membership. Its accession now represents a significant milestone in the development of a modern, transparent and European-aligned electricity market in North Macedonia.

Cross-border trade in guarantees of origin will become possible once national legislation and technical requirements are fully harmonized with European Union standards.

January 14, 2026
by in News

From construction waste to circular economy: how STRABAG drives green transition

Today, the construction industry is at the crossroads between tradition and transformation. Accounting for approximately 40% of the global energy consumption and for more than 35% of the overall CO₂ emissions, this sector has a huge potential, as well as a responsibility to become one of the key leaders of change in environmental protection. It is this change where STRABAG in Serbia recognises its task and opportunity: through recycling and reuse of materials, solar energy consumption, electric vehicles and digital innovation, the company demonstrates that sustainability can be an integral part of every construction phase.

Acting responsibly, objectively and ethically, STRABAG operates in accordance with the highest integrity standards. Aiming to expand business operations to new areas, they develop innovative and creative approaches within defined frameworks, utilising resources regionally, purposefully and efficiently. Their goal is to become the market leader via automation and adoption of new technologies, while pledging to achieve climate neutrality and CO₂ emission reduction.

Circular economy in practice: second life of materials

Construction waste is no longer and must not be the end of a process, but the start of a new cycle. For instance, concrete that used to end up at a landfill is now treated as a valuable resource: after separating reinforced elements and crushing, the material is reused in construction, as an aggregate for bases, foundations or access roads. This reduces the need for exploiting natural resources, the volume of waste at landfills and CO₂ emissions resulting from transport and production of new materials. The approach confirms that the construction industry can be a generator of a circular economy, rather than just its observer.

By recycling materials, STRABAG enhances processes and rationalises costs, while setting a new benchmark in responsible resource management, thus following its strategic goal of transforming every construction site into a part of a closed, sustainable construction cycle by 2040.

“Our objective is to turn every tonne of waste into a resource in the next project – that is the essence of the circular approach,” STRABAG’s representatives say.

Solar energy and electric mobility: construction sites of the future

In line with STRABAG’s Work On Progress strategy and aiming to become climate neutral by 2040, the company is introducing photovoltaic (PV) panels at its facilities, construction sites and logistics and asphalt bases in Serbia. Solar systems enable a reduction of power consumption from the grid, as well as of CO₂ emissions, thus directly contributing to the company’s global objective.

Green transition also includes the transport segment. STRABAG is modernising its vehicle fleet and introducing e-vehicles and new-generation construction machinery, decreasing its fossil fuel consumption and overall carbon footprint. By combining solar energy sources and electric mobility, construction sites become self-sustainable, with more environmentally responsible and technologically advanced daily operations.

Digital tools – less paper, more efficiency

Not only does digital transformation in STRABAG represent the implementation of new technologies, but it also changes the method of managing each segment of a construction site. By introducing the SSO (Smart Site One) application, the process of planning, monitoring and optimising operations is fully digitalised, from asphalt transport to final installation phases. The app connects people, machinery and processes in real time, thus eliminating downtime, increasing efficiency and reducing fuel consumption and waste.

Furthermore, the company has developed the 5S application (based on the 5S principles – sort, set in order, shine, standardise, sustain), aimed at monitoring order, safety and implementation of the LEAN methods at construction sites. This digital tool enables daily on-site status monitoring, design of automatic reports in order to reduce the risk of injuries, for orderly construction sites with optimal resource use, while additional values: 6S (safety), 7S (team spirit) and 8S (sustainability), facilitate further the culture of safety, team spirit and environmental awareness.

With these applications, STRABAG connects digitalisation and sustainability, showcasing that modern construction can simultaneously be precise, efficient and environmentally responsible.

Journey to climate neutrality

STRABAG in Serbia is implementing an ambitious plan, harmonised with its global ESG strategy and climate neutrality goals. The focus is both on technological innovation and systemic change in the method of construction, use of resources and day-to-day operations.

Key objectives set by the company include the following:

  • 50% of recycled materials in construction processes by 2030
  • CO₂ emission reduction of 42% per project by 2030
  • Fully electric or hybrid vehicle fleet by 2035

Besides technical and infrastructure measures, STRABAG continuously invests in employee education via LEAN and sustainability training courses (training in environmental protection), promoting the principles of sustainable construction, energy efficiency and responsible resource management. As a result, sustainability within the company goes beyond restrictions of individual initiatives, becoming a part of the corporate culture and mindset in every segment of operations.

STRABAG’s sustainability story is more than a series of projects – it is a long-term strategy that changes the future perspective of the construction sector.

“Sustainability is not a trend, but a new foundation of quality. What we are building today must last for the generations to come,” STRABAG’s representatives concluded.

Post Views:331
December 27, 2025
by in News

From construction waste to circular economy: how STRABAG drives green transition

Today, the construction industry is at the crossroads between tradition and transformation. Accounting for approximately 40% of the global energy consumption and for more than 35% of the overall CO₂ emissions, this sector has a huge potential, as well as a responsibility to become one of the key leaders of change in environmental protection. It is this change where STRABAG in Serbia recognises its task and opportunity: through recycling and reuse of materials, solar energy consumption, electric vehicles and digital innovation, the company demonstrates that sustainability can be an integral part of every construction phase.

Acting responsibly, objectively and ethically, STRABAG operates in accordance with the highest integrity standards. Aiming to expand business operations to new areas, they develop innovative and creative approaches within defined frameworks, utilising resources regionally, purposefully and efficiently. Their goal is to become the market leader via automation and adoption of new technologies, while pledging to achieve climate neutrality and CO₂ emission reduction.

Circular economy in practice: second life of materials

Construction waste is no longer and must not be the end of a process, but the start of a new cycle. For instance, concrete that used to end up at a landfill is now treated as a valuable resource: after separating reinforced elements and crushing, the material is reused in construction, as an aggregate for bases, foundations or access roads. This reduces the need for exploiting natural resources, the volume of waste at landfills and CO₂ emissions resulting from transport and production of new materials. The approach confirms that the construction industry can be a generator of a circular economy, rather than just its observer.

By recycling materials, STRABAG enhances processes and rationalises costs, while setting a new benchmark in responsible resource management, thus following its strategic goal of transforming every construction site into a part of a closed, sustainable construction cycle by 2040.

“Our objective is to turn every tonne of waste into a resource in the next project – that is the essence of the circular approach,” STRABAG’s representatives say.

Solar energy and electric mobility: construction sites of the future

In line with STRABAG’s Work On Progress strategy and aiming to become climate neutral by 2040, the company is introducing photovoltaic (PV) panels at its facilities, construction sites and logistics and asphalt bases in Serbia. Solar systems enable a reduction of power consumption from the grid, as well as of CO₂ emissions, thus directly contributing to the company’s global objective.

Green transition also includes the transport segment. STRABAG is modernising its vehicle fleet and introducing e-vehicles and new-generation construction machinery, decreasing its fossil fuel consumption and overall carbon footprint. By combining solar energy sources and electric mobility, construction sites become self-sustainable, with more environmentally responsible and technologically advanced daily operations.

Digital tools – less paper, more efficiency

Not only does digital transformation in STRABAG represent the implementation of new technologies, but it also changes the method of managing each segment of a construction site. By introducing the SSO (Smart Site One) application, the process of planning, monitoring and optimising operations is fully digitalised, from asphalt transport to final installation phases. The app connects people, machinery and processes in real time, thus eliminating downtime, increasing efficiency and reducing fuel consumption and waste.

Furthermore, the company has developed the 5S application (based on the 5S principles – sort, set in order, shine, standardise, sustain), aimed at monitoring order, safety and implementation of the LEAN methods at construction sites. This digital tool enables daily on-site status monitoring, design of automatic reports in order to reduce the risk of injuries, for orderly construction sites with optimal resource use, while additional values: 6S (safety), 7S (team spirit) and 8S (sustainability), facilitate further the culture of safety, team spirit and environmental awareness.

With these applications, STRABAG connects digitalisation and sustainability, showcasing that modern construction can simultaneously be precise, efficient and environmentally responsible.

Journey to climate neutrality

STRABAG in Serbia is implementing an ambitious plan, harmonised with its global ESG strategy and climate neutrality goals. The focus is both on technological innovation and systemic change in the method of construction, use of resources and day-to-day operations.

Key objectives set by the company include the following:

  • 50% of recycled materials in construction processes by 2030
  • CO₂ emission reduction of 42% per project by 2030
  • Fully electric or hybrid vehicle fleet by 2035

Besides technical and infrastructure measures, STRABAG continuously invests in employee education via LEAN and sustainability training courses (training in environmental protection), promoting the principles of sustainable construction, energy efficiency and responsible resource management. As a result, sustainability within the company goes beyond restrictions of individual initiatives, becoming a part of the corporate culture and mindset in every segment of operations.

STRABAG’s sustainability story is more than a series of projects – it is a long-term strategy that changes the future perspective of the construction sector.

“Sustainability is not a trend, but a new foundation of quality. What we are building today must last for the generations to come,” STRABAG’s representatives concluded.

Post Views:162
October 31, 2025
by in News

Serbia plans new mining law to align legislation with EU rules on critical raw materials

Serbia’s Ministry of Mining and Energy has launched a public consultation on a preliminary framework for a new law on mining and geological exploration. One of the goals of the new law is to align national legislation with European Union regulations on critical raw materials, sustainable development, and the circular economy.

The law will be harmonized with the EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act and the European Green Deal, to gradually align Serbia’s regulatory framework with the EU’s goals for sustainable mining, climate neutrality, and secure minerals supply, according to a document outlining the basis for the draft law.

Earlier this year, the European Commission included a lithium mining project in Serbia among the EU’s strategic projects for critical raw materials. Rio Tinto’s Jadar project is the only one on the list that involves the extraction of lithium and boron.

Lithium mining in Serbia is among the EU’s strategic projects for critical raw materials

Regarding harmonization with EU regulations, Serbia intends to introduce standardized reporting systems in line with the Pan-European Reserves and Resources Reporting Committee (PERC) standards, the UN Framework Classification for Resources (UNFC), and the Petroleum Resources Management System (PRMS), as well as implement ESG principles, which integrate environmental, social, and governance requirements into all phases of geological exploration and mining.

The main objective of the new law is to establish a modern, transparent, and efficient system for managing mineral and other geological resources in line with sustainable development standards, while strengthening the role of the state as the owner and steward of the country’s natural resources, according to the document.

It further highlights the need for more clearly defined mechanisms to ensure the application of sustainable mining principles and compliance with environmental standards, in line with advanced global practices. Investors’ obligations regarding environmental protection, land reclamation, and site remediation should be more precisely regulated during exploration and mining.

Investors’ obligations concerning environmental protection need to be more clearly defined

Improving the legal framework for granting exploration and mining rights is of particular importance, the document states. This would be done through models that ensure greater legal certainty, more efficient oversight, and consistent application of environmental and social standards, in line with sustainable mining principles.

The new law will also set clear criteria for identifying and protecting strategic mineral deposits, and ensure they are included in spatial and development plans. This would enable long-term protection of national interests in the field of mineral resources.

The law will digitalize permitting procedures for exploration and mining

The law will envisage digitalization and electronic processing in all administrative phases through a unified information system that enables electronic application and permitting, while allowing public access to data on exploration and mining fields.

The new law is also intended to ensure gradual alignment with European policies in the fields of green and digital transition.

The public consultation will be open until November 11, during which time citizens and organizations can submit proposals, comments, and suggestions.

Post Views:55