A €22 million investment becomes the new energy artery ensuring a stable and modern electricity supply in the urban core of the capital city
At a ceremonial event attended by high -ranking government representatives led by the Prime Minister, Mr. Hristijan Mickoski, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Mr. Aleksandar Nikoloski, the Minister of Energy, Mining and Mineral Resources, Ms. Sanja Bozhinovska, as well as members of the diplomatic corps, EVN Macedonia officially commissioned the new high‑voltage substation “Centralna” located in the center of Skopje.
In his welcoming address, the CEO of EVN Macedonia, Mr. Wolfgang Maier, expressed gratitude to the relevant institutions, the City of Skopje, and the Municipality of Centar. He emphasized that the €22 million investment represents a significant step toward modernizing and stabilizing the electricity grid in the city’s urban core. He noted that “Centralna” is the first energy facility of its kind in Skopje and the region.
The Prime Minister, Mr. Hristijan Mickoski, highlighted that this major investment, which enhances system stability and strengthens the country’s energy outlook, will greatly increase the capacity to attract new investments.
The Minister of Energy, Ms. Sanja Bozhinovska, stated that, as Skopje continues to develop rapidly, the demand for a stable and modern energy grid continues to grow. Existing substations are outdated and have long exceeded their intended capacity, making “Centralna” not merely a new facility but a strategic solution that ensures reliable electricity supply for citizens and creates conditions for further urban development.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Aleksandar Nikoloski stressed that constructing such a facility in the heart of the city is a remarkable technical achievement and the result of the joint commitment of EVN and the Government to advancing the energy sector as a key driver of the country’s economic and social development.
Also addressing the audience was the Ambassador of the Republic of Austria, H.E. Martin Pammer, who noted that EVN, as one of the largest investors in the country, is an important contributor to the process of bringing the country closer to the European Union.
The “Centralna” substation is distinguished by its compact architecture and advanced technological equipment. Built on an area ten times smaller than that required for conventional 120 MW facilities, it incorporates a 110 kV Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) installation, representing the latest technology in this field. The facility is equipped with state‑of‑the‑art systems for remote control, cable monitoring, fire protection, and advanced electronic control and protection devices. For the first time in Macedonia, 110 kV cables are being used to supply power to a facility of this type.
More than 30 companies participated in the project, including leading global manufacturers and suppliers of energy equipment such as GE, Siemens, Končar, Astor, Dalekovod Zagreb, Adra, Benning PSAM, BMG, and others.
This year, EVN Macedonia marks 20 years of operations in the Macedonian energy market. The “Centralna” substation represents the culmination of more than €800 million in investments made over the past two decades. With the commissioning of this facility,” EVN Macedonia reaffirms its commitment to continuous modernization of the electricity gridf and to ensuring a stable, secure, and efficient electricity supply for its customers.