At today's parliamentary session dedicated to questions for government officials, the Minister of Digital Transformation, Stefan Andonovski, clarified that the Government is working along two separate tracks: creating conditions for private investment in data centres and constructing a National Data Centre to meet the needs of state institutions.
"Private data centres represent an opportunity for new capital, work for domestic companies, specialized jobs, and the development of the ICT industry. The National Data Centre, on the other hand, is a project aimed at modernizing and better protecting state digital infrastructure," noted Andonovski.
He emphasized that the economic benefits of such projects should also be assessed based on the engagement of domestic suppliers, infrastructure development, and opportunities for Macedonian companies and engineers.
"Every potential project must undergo the necessary technical, water management, environmental, and other legal procedures," said the minister. He added that private investors would be required to secure their energy needs in accordance with legal procedures and at market prices.
Regarding the National Data Centre, Andonovski explained that it is planned with an installed capacity of less than one megawatt and will serve the information systems of state institutions. The goal is to gradually migrate systems that can be safely consolidated from more than twenty separate server and data locations into a shared infrastructure. The centre is also intended to be linked with the backup infrastructure in Prilep to ensure greater continuity for critical systems.
The Minister reported that a feasibility study has been completed and a potential site near Skopje identified; work is currently underway on the financial model and the necessary procedures. The project is part of the European Union’s Growth Plan, with €20 million secured for it—30 percent of which comes as an EU grant. The laying of the foundation stone is targeted for 2027, subject to the finalization of financing and procedural steps.
"Data centres should bring new capital and new opportunities to the Macedonian economy. However, no investment project will take precedence over the reliable supply of water and electricity to citizens," stated Andonovski.