The transmission system operator of North Macedonia – MEPSO, France’s development agency Agence Française de Développement (AFD), and RTE International signed an agreement for a grant intended to support the Balkan country’s transmission system. At the same time, the Ministry of Energy, Mining, and Mineral Resources signed a joint declaration with AFD, officially welcoming the agency as a partner of North Macedonia’s Investment Platform for a Just Energy Transition.
The EUR 600,000 grant is for technical assistance for the modernization and digitalization of the transmission grid in North Macedonia, MEPSO said.
The project focuses on four areas: preparing system adequacy studies using the ANTARES market simulator, sizing system reserves, developing a methodology for calculating transmission losses and producing a feasibility study, and a project for substation digitalization.
Božinovska: AFD’s technical assistance will enable MEPSO to manage variability in the system more efficiently
As part of the project, experts from RTE International, a subsidiary of the French transmission system operator (TSO) RTE, have already held a training course for MEPSO’s engineers on the use of the ANTARES simulator, the Ministry of Energy, Mining and Mineral Resources said.
Minister Sanja Božinovska stressed that AFD‘s technical assistance would enable the company to manage more efficiently the variability resulting from increased participation of renewable sources and market fluctuations.
A more advanced and smarter grid means fewer outages, better use of clean energy, stronger regional connections, and greater system resilience – whether to weather conditions, demand fluctuations, or market instability, Božinovska noted.
Milevski: Pilot project will be launched for the digitalization of a 110 kV substation
According to RTE International CEO Veronika Milevski, the agreement combines advanced power system modeling, innovative reserve forecasting using artificial intelligence (AI), and a pilot project for the digitalization of a 110 kV substation.
This is a decisive step toward a more resilient, transparent, and competitive electricity grid, she pointed out.
MEPSO CEO Burim Latifi explained that the digital transformation pilot project is aimed at developing a fully digital substation with advanced protection, management, and monitoring systems.
Vince: AFD is committed to supporting a just and sustainable energy transition
It is a concrete step toward transforming MEPSO into a smarter, more efficient, and future-oriented TSO, he added.
Of note, AFD and RTE established collaboration with Montenegro’s TSO CGES in November last year. AFD also signed a memorandum of understanding with Albania’s power utility KESH in April.
Regarding the signing of the joint declaration, Sanja Božinovska said the partnership is improving the country’s ability to modernize its electricity system, integrate more renewables, and strengthen security of supply.
AFD is committed to supporting North Macedonia’s just and sustainable energy transition, according to the Deputy Director of the AFD Office for the Western Balkans, François Vince.
The signing of the two agreements was attended by French Ambassador Christophe Le Rigoleur.
Montenegro plans to become a country of green data centers, according to Prime Minister Milojko Spajić.
Milojko Spajić was one of the speakers at the keynote panel Accelerating the Western Balkans’ Green and Smart Growth, within the European Union – Montenegro Investment Conference in Luštica, near Tivat.
Earlier, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the prime minister of Montenegro opened the two-day event, titled Smart Growth, Green Future: Accelerating Investment in Montenegro.
Spajić said energy is a cornerstone of the country’s strategy for connecting the region but also something in which Montenegro could be very competitive, helping the EU become even more competitive on the global stage.
Spajić: We can offer to Europe a possibility to get inexpensive electricity and stable supply
“We have dozens of amazing projects for hydro, wind, solar energy at very competitive rates. We can offer to Europe a possibility to get inexpensive electricity and stable supply. Baseload energy as well. For example, hydro is baseload energy,” he stated.
Photo: Bojan Gnjidić / Government of Montenegro
The prime minister recalled that his country is interconnected with Italy and that the project for the installation of the second line of the subsea cable is in the pipeline. But he also highlighted the significance of digital connections with Italy, where Milan is one of the biggest data center hubs in the EU, providing connections to Frankfurt and London.
Montenegro, in Spajić’s words, intends to be a part of the data highway. Data centers are basically the hardware for artificial intelligence, he explained and added that AI is going to be strong in big markets, not in small ones.
Partners from the US, UAE, and other countries, are interested in the development of the data centers
“But where we can actually be involved as a small country are data centers providing infrastructure for the EU’s AI to be strong and competitive,” Spajić underlined.
Therefore the country intends to focus on providing a very good environment for global data center operators, to come from all around the world. Spajić revealed that partners from the United States, United Arab Emirates, and other countries are interested in joining the opportunities for the development of the data centers.
“We want Montenegro to be the country of green data centers. We have water for hydropower. We have a lot of solar potential and a lot of wind. We are very fortunate to have such diversity,” Spajić said.
He invited investors to come to Montenegro: “Don’t waste your time, come as soon as possible.”
Participants at the panel included the Director of Enlargement Coordination, Strategy and Investments at the EU’s Directorate-General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood, Mathieu Bousquet, WizzAir CEO József Váradi, Akuo President Eric Scotto, and Charlotte Ruhe, Managing Director for Central and South-Eastern Europe in the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
Of note, fourteen cooperation projects between Montenegrin and European companies have been initiated at the conference. Some of them involve investments in wind farms, solar parks, energy storage, and grids.
A floating solar power plant with vertically installed panels was commissioned in Germany. Sinn Power, the company that deployed the technology, claims it is the world’s first utility-scale facility of its kind.
The floating solar power plant featuring vertically mounted panels is situated on artificial lake Jais, created by gravel extraction, in the Starnberg district of Bavaria in southern Germany. With a peak capacity of 1.87 MW, the plant is expected to generate around 2 GWh of electricity annually.
The technology, called SKipp by Sinn Power, is designed for artificial water bodies deeper than 1.6 meters, such as quarry lakes and gravel pits. Floating solar installations on artificial water surfaces are particularly valuable because they provide additional opportunities for solar energy generation without occupying land.
On Jais, arrays of vertical east-west oriented solar panels are separated by at least four meters. The company claims it ensures stable electricity generation throughout the day and increases output during morning and evening hours when conventional solar systems produce less energy.
Each SKipp-Float segment requires only a narrow submerged base, serving as the stabilizing part of the structure. At up to 1.6 meters below the water surface, it ensures a minimal spatial footprint, according to the company’s engineers. The substructure secures the modules and allows controlled movement under wind loads and fluctuating water levels.
Additionally, the plant is connected to the grid via a floating cable and a shore-based feed-in point, enabling smooth energy transfer without disrupting the lake’s ecosystem.
The installation of the floating solar plant has a positive impact on the lake’s ecosystem
The SKipp-Float system was commissioned on August 21 and officially inaugurated last week. Among the speakers at the ceremony was Bavarian Minister-President Markus Söder, who emphasized that the project demonstrates what an innovative energy transition looks like.
“The huge floating solar power plant on the lake generates electricity following the sun’s position. This is an example of Sinn Power’s engineering expertise, perfectly suited to Bavaria – a land of engineers and start-ups, as well as a leader in renewable energy,” said the regional leader, noting that Bavaria contributes 25% to Germany’s overall expansion of new capacity.
During the initial phase of operation, the company managing the gravel pit, Kies- und Quetschwerk Jais, reduced its grid electricity consumption by around 60%, with savings expected to reach up to 70% once production stabilizes, Sinn Power added.
The company said its floating PV plant occupies only 4.65% of the lake’s surface, well below the 15% maximum allowed under the German Federal Water Resources Act. An expansion of 1.7 MW of installed capacity is planned, keeping total lake coverage below 10%.
The company emphasized that the solar power plant has shown no negative ecological impact. On the contrary, the structure itself improves oxygen exchange and allows sunlight to reach deeper water layers, with reports indicating that water quality has improved since commissioning. New waterfowl nests have been observed on the floating sections, while schools of fish gather around the submerged stabilizing part of the platform.
Sinn Power plans to extend its vertical floating solar concept to open sea applications, further advancing renewable energy production at sea.
NGEN Group inaugurated its battery storage system in Austria’s Carinthia province after expanding it. At 21.9 MW in operating power and 43.8 MWh in capacity, it is again the country’s largest grid-supporting BESS.
With the official commissioning of the Arnoldstein-Gailitz battery energy storage system (BESS) in the Carinthia province, the NGEN Group has set another milestone in Austria’s energy transition. Following the completion of its second expansion phase in 2025, the facility now boasts 21.9 MW and 43.8 MWh in capacity, making it the country’s largest and most powerful grid-supporting battery storage power plant.
The project marks a significant step toward a sustainable, secure, and climate-neutral energy future and stands as a strong symbol of innovation, energy security, and technological excellence Made in Carinthia, the company stressed. NGEN is headquartered in Žirovnica in Slovenia, just across the border from Arnoldstein.
NGEN’s software contributes to grid stability, renewables deployment
NGEN Group developed the energy storage project and completed the standalone facility in 2023 as Austria’s first large-scale investment of its kind.
The company stressed that the BESS makes a crucial contribution to grid stability and the integration of renewable energy sources through its innovative software solutions. They enable peak shaving – to reduce load peaks and ease grid congestion – and the provision of balancing reserves for grid stability.
The company’s proprietary software enables trading optimization, peak shaving and balancing services
NGEN’s proprietary software also optimizes intraday and day-ahead trading on the power exchange. The Arnoldstein-Gailitz BESS enhances the security of supply by providing flexibility and helps accelerate the integration of renewables.
The company pointed out that the facility has a minimal impact on the landscape. NGEN Group offers rapid project implementation in urban environments and power supply support for charging stations, including lower electricity costs, around-the-clock availability of renewable energy and blackout resilience.
Redispatch capabilities prevent local supply bottlenecks through load flow balancing, the update adds.
Carinthia pioneering resilient, sustainable energy infrastructure
NGEN is already planning a four times larger BESS facility in Upper Austria.
“With the Arnoldstein-Gailitz battery storage power plant, we are sending a clear signal: Carinthia is becoming a pioneer of a modern, resilient, and sustainable energy infrastructure. This facility demonstrates what is possible when technology, political will, and local commitment come together. It bridges the gap between generation and consumption, makes solar energy reliably available, and ensures true energy security,” managing directors of NGEN Austria Matija Dolinar and Andreas Ljuba explained in a joint statement.
The expanded BESS underscores Carinthia’s role as a hub of innovation and demonstrates that grid-stabilizing storage technologies are decisive for the energy transition, not only in Austria but across Europe, the company said.
“Our vision is a fully digitalized and decentralized European electricity system that keeps pace with the rapid growth of renewable energy and sustainably reduces CO2 emissions,” said Chief Executive Officer and Founder of NGEN Group Roman Bernard.
Since 2019, the company has been combining its expertise in engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services with cutting-edge storage technology and advanced energy market connectivity. NGEN Group currently employs over 200 people across nine countries, including 40 in Austria. It has an annual turnover of EUR 100 million, of which EUR 60 million in Austria.
Ljiljana Velimirović, Project Manager 1, Investment Sector, Serbian state-owned power utility Elektroprivreda Srbije, received the Female Leader in Sustainable Energy 2025 award. The award recognizes outstanding results and dedication in advancing the energy sector in the Republic of Serbia.
At the annual event of WISE Serbia Women’s Network in sustainable energy, climate action, and environmental protection, Ljiljana Velimirović received the Female Leader in Sustainable Energy 2025 award. The announcement of the leader has been organized for the third consecutive year with the support of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.
WISE Serbia has existed since 2018. It is one of the first networks of its kind in the world, with over 250 members currently.
The award competition featured 10 remarkable women whose leadership, exceptional achievements, and vision play a key role in the sustainable development of the sector, accelerating the energy transition, improving energy security and safety, and promoting greater recognition of women in the field.
During the public voting process, which was held from September 24 to October 10, a total of 2,842 votes were cast. Ljiljana Velimirović, a mechanical engineer with over 35 years of professional experience, received the highest number of votes. GIZ Project Director Till Barmeier presented the award.
Photo: GIZ Project Director Till Barmeier with the laureate Ljiljana Velimirović, Project Manager 1, Investment Sector, EPS
On receiving the award, Velimirović thanked the WISE network for its dedication and for promoting women in energy, as well as all her colleagues, whom she highlighted as her greatest support.
“I am very proud to have been chosen to represent Elektroprivreda Srbije in the Female Leader in Sustainable Energy of 2025 competition. It is an honor that, by leading projects to build desulfurization plants in our largest thermal power plants, I have contributed to the ecological modernization not only of EPS but of the entire Serbian energy sector,” Velimirović said.
The event was officially opened by Branislava Jovičić, co-founder of WISE Serbia, founder and editor of the Balkan Green Energy News portal, and director of the Belgrade Energy Forum conference, H.E. Anke Konrad, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Belgrade, and Jovana Joksimović, Assistant Minister for International Cooperation, European Integration, and Project Management, Ministry of Mining and Energy.
Jovičić: WISE network has built a strong community of women over eight years
In her speech, Branislava Jovičić emphasized that over seven years, WISE Serbia has built a strong community of 250 professionals whose knowledge, experience, and vision contribute to the development of sustainable energy and climate policy in Serbia.
Thanks to the support of international partners and the dedication of its members, the network has conducted two major studies on the role of women in energy, launched a mentoring program connecting different generations of professionals, and become an important platform for knowledge exchange, inspiration, and joint initiatives.
Photo: Branislava Jovičić, co-founder of WISE Serbia, founder and editor of the Balkan Green Energy News portal, and director of the Belgrade Energy Forum conference
“Today, when dark clouds of geopolitical turmoil and denial of climate reality hang over the world, I dare say that the fight for sustainability, climate, and peace is a task that each of us must embrace, regardless of our profession. This is our generational mission. Our responsibility to ourselves and future generations,” Jovičić said.
Konrad: Women Remain Undervalued Drivers of Change
Sustainable strengthening of energy supply is important in Serbia, Germany, and around the world, emphasized German Ambassador Anke Konrad in her speech.
“The energy transition requires organizations that symbolize this transition. Therefore, I thank the Center for the Promotion of Sustainable Development through the WISE Serbia project for their engagement over the past years, which the German Federal Government has supported through GIZ for many years.”
Photo: H. E. Anke Konrad, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany in Serbia
Konrad highlighted that people are the most important factor in the energy transition and reminded that women remain undervalued drivers of change.
Konrad: The Female Leader in Sustainable Energy award shows what can be achieved when leadership, innovation, and social responsibility go hand in hand
“The WISE project has evolved into a unique platform, a space where professionals build networks, share knowledge, mentor young talents, and create visible role models. The Female Leader in Sustainable Energy award shows what can be achieved when leadership, innovative strength, and social responsibility go hand in hand,” she concluded.
Jovana Joksimović, at the opening, noted that she has been a member of WISE Serbia since its foundation, highlighting the importance of unity and support among women in the energy sector.
Emphasizing that the green transition is not only about meeting international obligations, Joksimović reminded that the plan is for every second megawatt produced by 2030 to come from renewable sources, leading to a cleaner and healthier environment for current and future generations.
Jovana Joksimović, Assistant Minister for International Cooperation, European Integration, and Project Management, Ministry of Mining and Energy
Citing data from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Joksimović pointed out that women make up 32% of employees in the global renewable energy sector, but their share is still below the global average of 45.9% of women in the overall economy.
“Every percentage point of women’s participation reminds us how much more progress can be made, and how much we have already achieved. I am proud of every one of us who is part of the energy transition—in wind farms, solar power plants, banking, engineering, management, innovation, education, and law.”
Photo: WISE Serbia women’s network and nominees for Female Leader in Sustainable Energy 2025 award
Women’s Leadership in Times of Geopolitical Challenges – Excellence, Achievements, and a Sustainable Vision
After the award ceremony, a panel discussion was held under the title “Women’s Leadership in Times of Geopolitical Challenges – Excellence, Achievements, and a Sustainable Vision.” The panel was moderated by Maja Turković, Executive Vice President of CWP Europe and recipient of the Female Leader in Sustainable Energy award in 2023.
Photo: Panel discussion “Women’s Leadership in Times of Geopolitical Challenges – Excellence, Achievements, and a Sustainable Vision”
Panel participants included Svetlana Cerović, Director of the Specialized Financing Department at UniCredit Bank Serbia and last year’s Female Leader in Sustainable Energy 2025 award; Marija Rošulj, Credit Risk and ESG Specialist at ProCredit Bank and participant in the WISE mentoring program; Jasmina Grbović Novaković, Director of the Center for Excellence in Hydrogen and Renewable Energy at the Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences; and Amalija Pavić, Deputy Executive Director at AmCham Serbia.
The panelists shared their experiences on the role of women in shaping the energy transition in a complex geopolitical environment, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and leadership based on knowledge and sustainability values.
Montenegrin state-owned power utility Elektroprivreda Crne Gore has signed memoranda of understanding with Akuo, E2S Power AG, and wind fisher for a floating solar power plant, thermal batteries, and a pilot project for high-altitude wind turbines, respectively.
Memoranda of understanding (MoUs) were signed within the framework of the European Union – Montenegro Investment Conference. Domestic and European companies initiated 14 projects, including for wind and solar power, energy storage, and the electricity grid.
The two-day conference Smart Growth, Green Future: Accelerating Investment in Montenegro, held earlier this week in Luštica, near Tivat, was opened by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Prime Minister of Montenegro Milojko Spajić.
Bulatović: We will develop three projects with Akuo
Ivan Bulatović, CEO of government-controlled Elektroprivreda Crne Gore (EPCG), told Balkan Green Energy News that the memorandum with French renewable energy company Akuo includes a 36 MW floating solar power plant on Slano lake.
The investment is estimated at EUR 60 million.
It is an innovative technology and it helps the environment by reducing water evaporation, Bulatović explained.
Scotto: Montenegro has everything it needs for the development of renewables
Another project within the deal is for a solar power plant, and the third one is for energy storage. On behalf of Akuo Energy, the memorandum was signed by CEO Eric Scotto.
He stressed that floating solar saves water and space while providing energy. Scotto revealed the possibility for the proposed onshore photovoltaic plant to be agrisolar.
Montenegro has everything it needs for the development of renewable energy sources – sun, wind and space, Scotto stressed.
Thermal batteries at TE Pljevlja
Photo: EPCG
EPCG signed its second memorandum with E2S Power AG, based in Switzerland, for the joint development, production, and application of thermal energy storage. The ceremony was attended by Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajić.
The aim of the project is to lower the domestic utility’s CO2 emissions, primarily from the Pljevlja coal power plant.
Electricity would be purchased on the market when it’s cheap, to charge the energy storage facility and later produce steam to drive the turbine and generate electricity, Bulatović explained.
He stressed that the cooperation opens up the possibility for the application of advanced technologies enabling more efficient energy use and a reduction in CO2 emissions.
Wind fisher is developing innovative high-altitude wind turbines
“Our thermal energy storage technology, TWEST, provides concrete solutions for decarbonizing thermal power plants and stabilizing power systems that are increasingly reliant on renewable sources,” E2S Power AG CEO Saša Savić said.
The memorandum with French innovative solutions firm wind fisher envisages the development of a joint pilot project for high-altitude wind turbines. Bulatović signed it with the company’s CEO Stéphane Vidaillet.
It is an innovative idea that should take off in the future, and this is a pilot project in the testing phase, Bulatović revealed.
The company, in his words, has the technology, and Montenegro has the space where it can be tested.
