English - Convention on Biological Diversity

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COUNTRY STUDY FOR BIODIVERSITY OF THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA
observed from the perspective of the period that followed, it is obvious that the situation
is extremely troubling. The expected exit from the transition period should be marked
with increased energy consumption, not only in business and industry, but also by
private household consumers. Instead, the current status is markedly unfavourable. Any
comparison of Macedonia’s GDP with that of other countries, not to mention average
salaries, the average price of electricity and specific consumption of individual types of
energy, will confirm Macedonia’s disadvantageous position.
Based upon these factors, fundamental changes (decreases) in consumption are
necessary. Otherwise, non-sustainable exploitation of energy resources may take place,
as well as degradation of the energy infrastructure.
The most important domestic energy resources available for use in the future are coal
reserves (for the next 10-15 years), fuelwood, hydropower and geothermal energy. It is
necessary to decrease the consumption of fuelwood, accompanied by a gradual increase
in the areas of solar energy, wind power, biomass etc. This is certainly related to the
status of the payment balance that would either provide for or prevent the importation of
adequate technologies for utilisation of these types of energy.
5.7.3. Impact on biodiversity:
This sector impacts biodiversity through electricity generation, transportation and
distribution (the description of impacts to biodiversity is the same as the one presented
for industry [Section 5.4.3.]).
Energy generation leads to air, water and soil pollution. Air pollution is caused by
the emissions of SOx, COx, NOx, smoke and dust and, according to production
capacities, is highest at the coal-fired Bitola and Oslomey Mining Energy Companies.
Electricity transportation requires construction activities (a detailed description is
presented in Sections 3.7.3.3., 3.8.1. and 3.8.3.). Spatial distribution of long-distance
aerial power lines (Section 2.5.) is the main reason for changes in the status of
biodiversity.
The effects from wastewater generated by production processes for energy
generation are similar to those from the industry sector. However, the thermal impacts to
those habitats receiving the heated effluent wastewater are specific to this sector.
Slag piles occupy natural habitats, increase the concentration of dust in the
atmosphere and impact the quality of groundwater resources through changes in pH and
increases in the concentrations of heavy metals.
The effects from the construction of hydropower reservoirs in river gorges are
presented in more detail in Sections 3.7.3.3. and 3.8.1.
5.8. Transport (traffic)
5.8.1. Current status and economic importance of the sector
The transportation sector of the Republic of Macedonia is undergoing changes
similar to those present in the overall Macedonian economy, that is, lagging behind the
current trends seen in other countries. In general, it can be stated that the existing
transportation and communication systems (i.e., the so-called tracom system) in the
Republic of Macedonia are not yet fully developed. One of this system’s most serious
problems is its lack of modernisation. Excluding Albania, the Republic of Macedonia
probably has the oldest transportation network in the Balkans (except for the road
network), with a relatively low density of roads, railways and airports. This is due to a
lack of investment in the development and maintenance of transportation facilities over