The World Bank has approved a US$35M power system improvement loan for Macedonia.

The project will provide funds for the rehabilitation of the country’s six largest hydro power plants, which represent 91% of its hydro capacity.

The cost of the hydro part of the project is estimated at US$31.6M, and will include replacement of outdated equipment, as well as funding the purchase of software and equipment required for dam safety work by state electricity company Elektrostopanstvo na Makedonija.

Rehabilitation of some plants has already begun, thanks to a grant of SFr5M by the Swiss government to fund improvements to the Mavrovo Cascade.