North Macedonia's Battery Storage Market: YESS Power's Novaci BESS Expansion

North Macedonia’s battery energy storage market is moving from project development towards commercial deployment, with YESS Power advancing its Novaci battery installation and planning an additional capacity expansion.

The project comprises a 30 MW / 60 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS), with a further 12 MWh expansion under consideration, according to information presented at Energy Week Western Balkans 2026 in Montenegro.

The development illustrates the growing role of standalone and hybrid battery installations in a market experiencing rapid growth in solar generation.

North Macedonia has emerged as one of the Western Balkans’ most active renewable energy markets, creating increasing demand for flexibility, balancing services and technologies capable of shifting electricity production between different periods.

For battery developers, the opportunity is closely linked to the changing economics of electricity generation.

As solar capacity expands, production becomes increasingly concentrated during daylight hours, potentially reducing wholesale electricity prices when renewable output is strongest.

Battery storage offers a way to capture electricity during lower-price periods and discharge it when market conditions become more favourable.

The commercial value of BESS depends on more than wholesale electricity price spreads

Storage operators must also consider access to balancing and ancillary services, grid connection requirements, operating restrictions and the ability to combine different revenue streams.

The Novaci project’s planned expansion demonstrates the importance of scalability in battery development

Increasing energy capacity from 60 MWh to 72 MWh, without necessarily increasing power capacity, would extend the amount of electricity the system could store and potentially improve its ability to participate in different trading strategies.

The precise commercial benefits would depend on the battery’s operating configuration and market access arrangements.

North Macedonia’s broader storage outlook is also attracting attention from market analysts.

Aurora Energy Research forecast approximately 300 MW of operational battery capacity in North Macedonia by the end of 2027, substantially more than its projections for Albania and Montenegro.

The forecast remains subject to project delivery, financing and regulatory developments.

For investors, the country’s growing storage pipeline reflects the increasing need to integrate renewable generation with flexible electricity market operations.

The next stage of market development will depend on whether battery operators can secure reliable access to revenue opportunities and demonstrate performance sufficient to support long-term project financing.