Macedonian Association of
Renewable Energy Sources (MARES)

“Introducing MARES: Pioneering the Green Energy Revolution in North Macedonia”

MARES, in partnership with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), stands as a dynamic force, bringing together a diverse array of local and international investors deeply committed to propelling renewable energy initiatives in North Macedonia.

Our Strategic Objectives:
• Sustainable Energy Production Support
• Environmental Protection and Awareness
• Energy Strategy and Independence
• Policy Engagement and Collaboration
• Business Environment and Investment Promotion
• Infrastructure and Economic Enhancement
• Member Representation and Rights Protection
• Collaboration, Knowledge Sharing, and Networking
• Stakeholder Engagement and Solidarity

Vision:
To shape a future where clean energy is not just a choice but a way of life, creating a sustainable and eco-friendly energy landscape in North Macedonia.

Mission:
Our mission is to unite and empower all stakeholders within the renewable energy sector. We aim to facilitate a just and sustainable transition to clean energy, enhance the business environment, foster collaboration between public and private sectors, and create an eco-friendly and sustainable energy landscape in North Macedonia.

About The Lunch Conference:
Our launch event will bring together key stakeholders, industry experts, government officials, representatives of CSOs and visionaries, all deeply committed to instigating meaningful change within the renewable energy sector. It presents an exceptional opportunity for networking, sharing ideas, and exploring potential collaborations.

The conference will host an illustrious lineup of top officials, including Kreshnik Bekteshi, Minister of Economy of the Republic of North Macedonia, representatives from EBRD, Energy Community, EU Delegation to North Macedonia, MEPSO, MEMO, ESM, and Solar Power Europe, along with numerous other eminent organizations and companies within the renewable energy sector. Slobodan Popovski, President of MARES, will inaugurate the event, setting the stage for a dynamic and insightful gathering. These representatives from key organizations bring their valuable expertise to the table, ensuring a well-rounded and impactful event.

Event Panels:

Strategic Opportunities of the Green Transition: A panel focused on open dialogue among stakeholders, with an emphasis on developing effective strategies for addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by the green transition.

Energy Market: An exploration of topics such as Off-take Auctions, Macedonian Power Market Uptake, and Market Coupling. This panel is aimed at assessing the readiness of the Macedonian market for investors, the status of legislation, and the region’s preparedness to address challenges related to Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) for long-term electricity procurement.

Power Grid – the Key Enabler: Focusing on Energy Storage Grid Integration and Connection Challenges, this panel delves into the specific challenges and issues that North Macedonia faces in integrating energy storage systems into the power grid, as well as the overall energy network and its reliability.

Challenges of financing RES projects: Addressing multifaceted issues related to securing funding, navigating the intricacies of commercial bank resources, and understanding the role of financial policies in driving or hindering progress.

Round Table Wrap-up and Recommendations: This final panel offers a comprehensive overview of the challenges and opportunities in the transition to green energy. The panelists’ diverse expertise will offer valuable insights and recommendations for policymakers, industry leaders, and all stakeholders involved in the green energy transition.

Join us at this pivotal event as we embark on a journey towards a greener and more sustainable North Macedonia, at Double Tree hotel.

Moderators

Panel 1:
Chris Basinski

Chris is an economist with 10 years’ experience in the energy sector, with a specific focus on electricity markets. Since joining EBRD in 2015, he has worked extensively in the Central and South-eastern Europe region, leading major technical assistance projects to support reforms underpinning the scale up of clean energy investments. In North Macedonia, he has worked closely with the state and regulatory authorities on the roll out of renewable energy auctions and network regulation. Before joining the EBRD, he worked in consulting, where he specialised in energy market modelling. He has a Master’s degree in Economics from the University of Edinburgh, holds the GARP Energy Risk Practitioner (ERP) qualification, and is a regular lecturer on energy market reform and decarbonisation at the Joint Vienna Institute (JVI).

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Panel 2:
Marko Jankovic

Marko is Head of electricity market department in CWP Europe. He is an expert in electricity market with background in market design, legislation, and green energy promotion. He was a pioneer of electricity market development in Serbia with more than 15 years of experience, at “Elektromreža Srbije” (EMS), as well as through engagement in many national and international associations related to electricity market. During his long carrier he made key contributions to establish electricity market processes in Serbia, drafting market rules and all necessary legislation. Also, he had been working with his team on the integration of the national market into the regional and pan-European electricity market. Marko was a member of ENTSO-E Market Committee as well as member of steering committees of single European auction office (JAO Luxembourg) and single European balancing platform for Imbalance Netting (IGCC). As an electrical engineer who graduated from School of Electrical Engineering University of Belgrade, he is very proud of his membership in the Serbian National CIGRE and CIRED Committees.

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Panel 3:
Nikola Bitrak

Nikola is the CEO of COLENCO Ltd in Skopje and Sofija, and previously Managing Director of AF – Consult. Nikola’s expertise spans project management and coordination, with a focus on energy projects encompassing entire transmission and distribution infrastructure, RES, energy transition including decarbonization of the thermal energy technologies to renewable, hydro power as well as gas fired power plants and its gas and hydrogen infrastructure design and development.

His proficiency extends to following the rules and procedures of International Financing Institutions such as EBRD, World Bank, KfW and EIB as well as other related financial funds that operate though its internal polices in line with IFI’s rules and procedures. His track record includes successful management of significant projects with more than 2GW of Renewables and over 6GW of other Energy generation including transmission and distribution infrastructure development and studies with more than 3000km of overhead lines and underground cables out of which 1400km interconnection lines, involving high voltage substations, their rehabilitation, as well as BESS, pump storage hydro power and state of the arts technologies for the power system stability and security.

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Panel 4:
Olimpija H. Zaevska

Olimpija is a Managing Partner of Elson Solutions and a green finance, international business, and investment consultant. She is finishing her doctoral studies at the Copenhagen Business School, focused on Industry 4.0 adoption, where she also teaches International Business Environment and Advanced Research Methods. As an international economy adviser to the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the Republic of North Macedonia, Olimpija was responsible for negotiating development loans and worked extensively on attracting and supporting FDIs and domestic investors. Olimpija has also consulted on various projects for EBRD, FAO, USAID, GiZ, PwC, Bain and Company, the Fund for Innovation and Technological Development (FITD), and the Deputy Prime Minister in Charge of Economic Affairs and was an executive board member of the Directorate for the Technological Industrial Development Zones in North Macedonia.

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Panel 5:
VIoleta Nikolova

A highly motivated Manager with a proven track record in renewable energy and ICT sectors, skilled in project development, international investor relations, and organizational management. Holding an MBA from IUKB – Institut Universitaire Kurt Bosch, Switzerland, she combines academic excellence with practical industry experience. She excels in mediating and attracting international investors, with expertise in full project development, including SPV incorporation, development plan preparation, EIA, and feasibility studies. Her effective communication and liaison skills ensure seamless collaboration with local and governmental bodies.Committed to sustainable energy practices, she actively engages in policy advocacy and analysis, currently serving as the Secretary General of the Macedonian Association of Renewable Energy Sources (MARES). Supported by EBRD, the Association reflects her impactful leadership in driving collaborations for a greener future.