Renalfa launches battery storage project at Oslomej solar plant in North Macedonia

Austria-based independent power producer Renalfa IPP said on May 4 that it has begun installing a battery energy storage system (BESS) at its solar project in Oslomej, in another step in expanding its renewable energy portfolio in North Macedonia.

The company said a 50 MW / 200 MWh co-located BESS is being deployed at the Oslomej site, where a 65.8 MWp solar power plant has been in operation since 2023, Renalfa said in a LinkedIn post.

The facility is located on the site of a former coal mine and was developed through a public-private partnership with state-owned utility Elektrani na Severna Makedonija (ESM).

The company said that the addition of battery storage will enhance the flexibility and reliability of the solar installation, supporting grid stability and optimising energy output.

The Oslomej solar project is part of a broader effort to transform former coal-based energy sites into renewable energy hubs. In July 2024, Renalfa said the project had been identified by the Western Balkans Investment Framework as one of 17 flagship investments in the region.

Financing for the project was arranged by Finance in Motion and provided by the Green for Growth Fund (GGF), supporting the country’s transition towards cleaner energy sources.

The solar plant is expected to generate nearly 100 GWh of electricity in its first year of operation, contributing to reduced reliance on fossil fuels and improved energy security.

Renalfa IPP, a joint venture between Renalfa Solarpro Group and French investment group RGreen Invest, was awarded the contract for one of two 50 MW solar plants in a state tender held in April 2021.

The investment also forms part of a wider strategy to support economic transition in the Oslomej region, historically dependent on coal.

The project includes plans to retrain and employ former workers from the thermal power plant, helping to mitigate job losses while creating new opportunities in the renewable energy sector.

“After our first investment in the Bogoslovec wind park in North Macedonia, this investment in solar is a sign of continued commitment to expanding renewable energy capacity in the region,” said Chris Knowles, GGF Board Chairperson.

North Macedonia aims to generate at least 43% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2040. Projects such as Oslomej are expected to play a key role in diversifying the country’s energy mix, which has traditionally relied on lignite, gas and limited hydropower, while also reducing dependence on energy imports.