Progress made on North Macedonia’s largest environmental project

On 1 March, a key step in the implementation of the €136 million EU-supported project was made with the announcement of the opening of bids for construction of North Macedonia’s largest environmental project - the Skopje wastewater plant.

The Skopje wastewater treatment plant is one of the 21 flagship projects, selected on 23 February for the EU financing in 2022 through the WBIF. The investment package is a step further in the implementation of the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans 2021-2027. The Skopje wastewater plant is one of the environmental projects, selected for financing under the Flagship 7 – Waste and Wastewater Management.

The EU is financing this project with €70 million investment grant, complementing the €35 million EIB loan, €30 million EBRD loan and funds from the bilateral donors. As Skopje’s wastewater is currently discharged into the Vardar River without treatment, the project is expected to have significant environmental and public health benefits for the inhabitants of Skopje. It will also contribute to North Macedonia’s compliance with relevant environmental and water EU laws and standards.

The event was hosted by Director of PE Water and Sewerage Skopje Zlatko Perinski and Mayor of Skopje Danela Arsovska and attended by the Head of the European Investment Bank (EIB) Regional Representation for the Western Balkans Alessandro Bragonzi and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Senior Banker Biljana Milosheska.

Alessandro Bragonzi, Head of the EIB Representation for the Western Balkans: “As the EU climate bank, our aim is to help the region adapt to and mitigate the negative consequences of climate change and increase resilience to crisis. Under the EIB Global branch, we will continue to work closely with the European Commission and our local partners to provide technical and financial support for strategic investments in the areas of sustainable transportation, green transition, energy and SME development.”

Zlatko Perinski, Director of PE Water and Sewerage Skopje: “With the construction of the wastewater plant, we as a country will have over 90% purified water, which is one of the criteria to be met when opening negotiations with the European Union. The project will increase Skopje's resistance to climate change by strengthening the city's wastewater treatment system.” 

Danela Arsovska, Mayor of Skopje: “With the construction of this wastewater treatment plant, Skopje finally gets the opportunity to develop into an environmental metropolis that cares for the environment and people of Skopje.”