Luxembourg-based Zen Energy Group has started the installation of a hybrid energy project in North Macedonia, combining a solar power plant and a battery energy storage system.
A solar power plant with a battery energy storage system (BESS) could become the country’s second hybrid power plant, with Fortis Energy installing energy storage near Oslomej solar park.
Zen Energy Group kicked off the construction of a landmark solar plus storage project in North Macedonia, Yossi Edelstein, Chief Executive Officer of Zen Energy Group, wrote on LinkedIn.
From concept to construction, Zen Energy Group is making the future of energy a reality in the country, he added.
“We are proud to share that our 82 MW utility-scale solar project with 50 MWh BESS in North Macedonia has officially entered the construction phase,” Edelstein stated.
The PV plant will use LONGi bifacial solar panels
The company’s team kicked off earthworks, development of access roada and cut-and-fill activities. The project is scheduled to start delivering green electricity to the national grid by late April 2026 and to achieve full commercial operation date in August 2026, according to Edelstein.
The project marks another significant step toward advancing clean energy generation in the region, he added.
According to the firm’s website, the photovoltaic plant will be located near Negotino. It will use LONGi bifacial solar panels for the expected annual production of 124,198 MWh.
The financing was secured from NLB bank, the website reads.
The developer revealed that it has signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) for 10 years in total, with a six-year fixed price period.
Seven projects in the pipeline
Zen Energy Group is developing seven energy investments – for three solar parks, two wind farms, a standalone BESS, and a commercial and industrial (C&I) portfolio in the UK.
Wind farms Unirea (102 MW) and Traian (78 MW) are located in Romania, while two PV facilities in North Macedonia would have a total capacity of 137 MW. The Negotino endeavor is for 82 MW and the Armatus investment envisages 55 MW.
Solar project Hajdučica of 125 MW is planned in Serbia. All three PV plants would have BESS. The company is developing the Lacu Sarat standalone battery facility in Romania. If it were in operation now, it would be the largest BESS in Europe.