Bitola, North Macedonia and Pristina, Kosovo – Pre-feasibility Study of Renewable Supply Options for District Heating in Coal Mining Regions

In the Western Balkans, the coal-based power plants TPP Bitola, in North Macedonia, and TPP Kosovo A and B in Kosovo have played a significant role in meeting the energy needs of their respective countries since the 1960s. These power plants have relied heavily on indigenous lignite coal as primary fuel source, contributing to the generation of electricity for domestic consumption and exports.n The Bitola power plant, also known as TPP Bitola (699MW), is the largest power plant in North Macedonia. It is located near the city of Bitola and it includes three coal-fired units, each with a capacity of 233MW. Over the years, TPP Bitola has been a crucial supplier of electricity for the country, providing a significant portion of North Macedonia’s power needs. At present a new district heating system (pipes & substations etc.) for Bitola city is under construction, which will be supplied by the power plant. The TPP Bitola has a significant environmental impact, including air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. According to government plans, this coal-based plant is expected to be decommissioned by 2030.n In Kosovo, the Kosovo A (300MW) and B (600MW) power plants, situated near the town of Obiliq, provide about 93% of domestic electricity generation meeting most of Kosovo’s electricity demand. Kosovo A and B burn lignite coal sourced from the nearby Sibovc mine. However, similar to TPP Bitola, these power plants have a significant environmental footprint, contributing to air pollution and environmental degradation in the region. Particularly, Kosovo A power plant that was built in the 1970s, one of the most inefficient and highly polluting coal plants, is planned for phase out by the end of 2030 according to the Government’s energy strategy (with an option to maintain it as reserve capacity). Nevertheless, Kosovo A is anyway not connected to the DH network. Only the TPP Kosovo B provides heat energy for the district heating network of the city Prishtina.n Despite their significant contributions to energy supply, the coal power plants in Bitola and Kosovo A and B face challenges associated with environmental regulations, economic viability, and the global transition towards cleaner energy sources. As a result, there is growing pressure to explore alternative energy options, such as renewable energy technologies, to ensure a more sustainable and environmentally friendly energy future for both regions.n The World Bank is supporting both countries undergoing a just energy transition to replace coal as an energy source with clean and renewable alternatives to reduce carbon emissions, increase energy efficiency, and enhanced sustainability.