Renalfa IPP adds 200 MWh battery storage to North Macedonia’s Oslomej solar complex

Renalfa IPP is extending the operational value of its Oslomej solar power project in North Macedonia by adding large-scale battery energy storage. The move matters for investors and grid operators because it targets one of the central challenges of solar-heavy generation: smoothing fluctuations and improving system flexibility as renewable penetration grows.

50 MW / 200 MWh BESS installed alongside operating solar

The company said it has begun deploying a battery energy storage facility with capacity of 50 MW and 200 MWh at the Oslomej site. The battery is being installed alongside an existing 65.8 MW solar power plant that has been in operation since 2023. Renalfa IPP expects the added storage to strengthen grid balancing, increase operational flexibility, and support more efficient management of changes in solar power output.

Former lignite mine repurposed into renewable hub

The Oslomej energy complex was developed on the grounds of a former lignite mine in cooperation with state-owned utility ESM (Elektrani na Severna Makedonija). The project aligns with a broader national strategy to convert former coal-based sites into renewable energy hubs, supporting North Macedonia’s longer-term decarbonization objectives.

Regional backing and financing through Green for Growth Fund

Regional and international institutions have highlighted the development as one of the key green energy investments in the Western Balkans. In 2024, it was included among flagship projects supported under the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), underscoring its role in the region’s energy transition.

Financial support for the initiative was provided through Finance in Motion via the Green for Growth Fund, reflecting efforts to accelerate North Macedonia’s shift away from fossil fuels toward cleaner electricity generation.

Joint venture secured via state tender

Renalfa IPP is a joint venture between Renalfa Solarpro Group and French investment firm RGreen Invest. The company secured the project through a state tender held in 2021, covering development of two 50 MW solar power plants.