North Macedonia’s first national hydrogen study outlined concrete scenarios for hydrogen development through 2050. It includes detailed analyses of integrating renewable energy sources, building hydrogen corridors, applying hydrogen across industry and transport, and unlocking potential for significant greenhouse gas emission reductions.
With technical support from the European Union, the Ministry of Energy, Mining, and Mineral Resources has successfully finalized the country’s first comprehensive hydrogen study.
The strategic document paves the way for a future hydrogen economy and positions North Macedonia as an integral part of Europe’s energy future, the ministry said.
This is the first national document to comprehensively analyze options for producing, transporting, storing, and utilizing green hydrogen, as one of the key energy sources of the future, across the energy sector, industry, transport, and district heating systems, the update reads.
Country holds strategic position alongside Serbia and Greece in pan-European hydrogen network
The study confirmed that North Macedonia has potential to gradually develop a hydrogen economy and become an active participant in Europe’s evolving hydrogen infrastructure.
The document highlighted that North Macedonia, together with Serbia and Greece, occupies a strategic position within the pan-European hydrogen network and the European Hydrogen Backbone, the future continental network designed for cross-border transport of clean hydrogen.
The ministry stressed that the new gas interconnection with Greece, under construction, is designed to transport 100% hydrogen. In addition, the tender documentation for selecting the contractor for project design and the works for the upcoming gas interconnection with Serbia stipulates that it needs to be fully capable of transporting 100% hydrogen.
Two new gas pipelines to serve as core components of national hydrogen backbone
Both gas interconnections will serve as crucial segments of the future national hydrogen backbone, fostering regional integration into the European hydrogen market, the update reads.
By completing this study, North Macedonia stands among the few countries in the region that already have strategic roadmaps for hydrogen sector development, a significant advantage in advancing energy transition and aligning with European policies, according to the ministry.
The study was prepared with technical assistance funded by the EU through the IPA II program, under the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) and the Infrastructure Project Facility 10 (IPF10), as part of the gas interconnection project between North Macedonia and Serbia.
