Research in North Macedonia

Implications of Transition in the Energy Sector at the Regional Level

North Macedonia is facing challenges in transitioning to a greener, more sustainable energy future. This effort, though limited by many constraints, involves major steps like the coal phase-out, starting with the decommissioning of coal-fired thermal plants.

The primary goal of this research was to assess the potential long-term regional socio-economic consequences of closing TPP Oslomej in North Macedonia’s Southwest Planning Region (SWPR), gathering evidence to support policy options that include just transition actions for the affected workforce. The aim is to promote a sustainable approach rather than a simple shutdown by showcasing the effects of both options.

This case study presents the current situation by reviewing the status of energy and climate policies and assessing how well energy transition plans align with territorial and just aspects. It emphasizes a territorial perspective on specific place-based effects in SWPR and highlights the importance of energy transition and decarbonization for energy security. More importantly, it underlines the need to back these transitions with social justice and the often-overlooked benefits of a place-based approach.

The study used a mixed-method approach, combining quantitative methods with qualitative content analysis, to evaluate current policies in energy, climate action, and just transitions. This enabled a comprehensive assessment of decarbonization's effects on the local economy and workforce, while considering measures to support a smoother transition for affected individuals.

Download the full research report for North Macedonia here.
The datasets for this research can be found in the below links:
https://zenodo.org/records/12755574