Bitola coal plant in North Macedonia takes Unit 3 offline after boiler pipe rupture; ESM readies backup unit

A technical failure has temporarily disrupted output at North Macedonia’s Bitola Thermal Power Plant, a major coal-fired facility, underscoring how quickly operational shocks can translate into grid-level risks for electricity supply. Unit 3 was taken offline on 14 April after a pipe rupture occurred in the boiler system, requiring the unit’s immediate disconnection from the national electricity grid.

ESM prepares backup capacity to protect system stability

To maintain stability while repairs are carried out on the affected equipment, the grid operator ESM has initiated preparations to bring another unit back online. Unit 1 is expected to be synchronized with the grid shortly, with reconnection planned for the following day.

Reduced-capacity operations already in place

The incident occurred while the plant was operating at reduced capacity. Favorable hydrological conditions and lower electricity demand had allowed Bitola to run with only one active unit, a configuration that is expected to remain in place in the near term despite the disruption.

Why the switch matters

Authorities said the shift to an alternative unit is intended to ensure continuous electricity supply during repair work. For investors and market participants, the episode highlights the importance of redundancy and rapid dispatch decisions when asset availability changes suddenly at large thermal generators.