First National Hydrogen Study Finalized, Macedonia Enters the Future Map of the European Energy Corridor

The Ministry of Energy, Mining, and Mineral Resources has successfully concluded the first comprehensive National Hydrogen Study, marking a decisive step toward integration into the regional and European economy of this energy source. The drafting of the document was made possible thanks to technical assistance funded by the European Union under the IPA II program.

This project was developed through the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) and the Infrastructure Project Facility 10 (IPF10), as part of the broader initiative for natural gas interconnection between Macedonia and Serbia. It constitutes the first state-level document that deeply addresses the potentials for the creation, distribution, storage, and consumption of green hydrogen, a key fuel for a clean energy future.

The analysis confirms that the country possesses concrete opportunities to gradually build a hydrogen market and to actively position itself in the future pan-European infrastructure. According to the report, Macedonia enjoys a strategic geographical position, along with Greece and Serbia, within the Pan-European Hydrogen Network and the European cross-border transport backbone known as the European Hydrogen Backbone.

A key aspect highlighted is that the new interconnector gas pipeline with Greece, currently under construction, was designed from the project phase to transport 100% hydrogen. Likewise, the tender documentation for selecting the contractors for the future interconnection with Serbia stipulates that this segment will also be fully compatible with the flow of pure hydrogen. In this way, both lines will become essential segments of the national backbone for this energy carrier and will promote regional integration with the European hydrogen market.

With the completion of this study, Macedonia joins the small group of states in the region that already have a strategic roadmap for the development of the hydrogen sector, which represents a significant advantage on the journey of energy transition and alignment with European Union directives.