Interview with Goran Kovachevikj, Manager of Interenergo Macedonia DOOEL

What are the main sources of energy that your company uses in its operations?

Interenergo is an international Ljubljana-based energy company, which, despite being relatively young, is one of the largest energy companies in the region. Our main activities include electricity trading, power purchase agreements (PPA), investments in renewable energy sources (RES) and energy services. The core of our investments are the construction and management of power plants for production of electricity. The diverse portfolio of projects across the group covers three sources – water, wind and sun.

In Interenergo Macedonia we have investments primarily in the field of wind and solar energy, while in the region we have a diverse portfolio through projects of hydro, solar and wind energy, biomass, district heating and energy efficiency. The intention is to transfer the experience and knowledge from abroad to our country, through the use of the most advanced technologies that enable efficient, reliable and ecological energy production.

Can you describe some of the main projects your company is currently implementing to advance renewable energy production?

Currently, the construction of the "PERUN" wind park is underway in the vicinity of Gevgelija and Bogdanci, several solar parks in the vicinity of the cities of Bitola and Shtip are in advanced development, while several projects using waste biomass are in the initial phase. With these "green field" investments, the portfolio of our company will significantly increase, and we will also make a small contribution to the energy transition of N. Macedonia. In addition to investments in the production of electricity from renewable sources, we have implemented a project for energy efficiency in the area of public lighting in the municipality of Radovish, where significant savings in electricity are realized.

What is your approach to energy efficiency and sustainability in your operations?

We provide optimal solutions for improving energy efficiency, which is also the company's strategy. The experience, knowledge and innovations enable us to offer customized business models and solutions to meet the unique needs of each partner. We have successfully implemented a large number of projects in the region. Furthermore, we would highlight the projects that contribute to the circular economy, ecology and decarbonization in society through the use of waste biomass, thus creating new value from an environmental problem and cost.

What role does innovation play in your company's efforts to develop new technologies or improve existing ones in the energy sector?

The constant introduction of innovations and following trends enable us to operate successfully in the long term. We constantly upgrade and modernize our software and hardware platforms, introduce advanced analytical methods and algorithmic support with which we continuously raise the levels of digitization and automation of processes and operations.

How do you overcome geopolitical challenges and regulatory circumstances given that you operate in different markets?

We do not overcome them, we try to comply with the local regulation in each country individually and we hope that with the approach to the European Union, the regulation will be harmonized as well.

What strategies does Interenergo use to manage risks related to energy price fluctuations and market dynamics?

We use strategies that are directly proportional to the acquired internal knowledge of the company, in the direction of reducing risks and increasing profits, while keeping pace with the development of the domestic market and the global dynamics in the development of renewable energy sources.

In what ways do you think you contribute to local economic development and job creation?

Investments in renewable energy sources play a key role in local economic development and job creation. These projects require qualified labor for development, design, construction, installation, maintenance, and thus, in addition to job creation, the transfer of highly sophisticated knowledge is generated. The transition to renewable energy sources reduces dependence on expensive fossil fuels, contributing to lower energy costs that benefit everyone, households, businesses and local industries, freeing up resources for other investments.