North Macedonia wins EU praise for pioneering coal-to-solar shift

(EurActiv, 20 Feb 2020) The European Union energy watchdog praised North Macedonia on Wednesday (19 February) for a pioneering project among EU aspirants to transform an ageing coal mine into two solar power plants, in line with goals to cut pollution and tackle climate change.

The 27-member bloc has rolled out plans to be net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by the middle of the century, but faces resistance from its more coal-dependent members, led by Poland.

The Energy Community, an international body established by the EU and covering nine aspiring member states, aims to extend the bloc’s energy policy to would-be members.

“With this project, North Macedonia shows an excellent example of how coal regions can be profitably transformed, providing new employment opportunities for former coal workers and driving sustainable regional development,” Janez Kopac, the head of the Vienna-based Energy Community Secretariat, said in a statement.

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EurActiv, 20 Feb 2020: North Macedonia wins EU praise for pioneering coal-to-solar shift