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by the GDP. Table 2.3 below shows that the energy intensity in Macedonia is on a level comparable with that of its non-EU neighbors but much higher than that of countries of the EU. Even when GDP is adjusted for Purchasing Power Parity Macedonia's energy intensity is about 50 percent higher than that of neighboring EU countries like Austria, Italy and Greece.

The reason for the high energy intensity can be traced to: i) heavy use of energy in metal processing industry; ii) low-efficiency power generation, supply and consumption; and iii) the prevalence of using electric energy for residential heating during the winter.

Studies have indicated that opportunities exist for improvement through adoption of well-proven and readily available technologies including efficient appliances, controls and insulation. Application of these technologies on a widespread basis would not only reduce energy demand and help postpone future investments in new generation capacity but would also reduce emissions.

However, a number of barriers are hampering the investment in energy efficiency (EE) projects, most notably: (1) lack of awareness, information, and confidence on the part of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), Government/budget entities, and residential consumers, on the efficacy of EE investments and technology; (2) lack of capacity in EE project development, including engineering, installation, and monitoring of energy efficiency measures; (3) lack of understanding and capital available through Financial Institutions (FIs) for EE investments; and (4) perceived risks of EE investments by FIs.

The GOM is presently considering embarking on an Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (RE) Strategy in order to increase EE/RE investments in the economy. The thrust of the initiative would be to improve the investment climate for EE and RE. The World Bank is providing support through a new GEF grant project, with the objective to remove barriers for investments in sustainable energy, defined as energy efficiency and renewable energy. The GEF project will support development of the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Strategy.

Renewable energy

Macedonia has promising indigenous resources of renewable energy. These include hydropower, geothermal energy, biomass energy, and in the longer term wind energy. However, even though a pipeline of financially viable renewable energy projects has been identified by different project developers, these are not being implemented because of institutional and financial constraints.

The GEF Mini Hydro project that will be completed by the end of June, 2004, has demonstrated that financially viable opportunities exist for tapping of small hydropower resources, e.g. by adding small turbine plants to existing water supply pipelines. For the purpose of following up on this project, the Ministry of Economy has developed a “pipeline” of 4 similar projects (each in the rage of 0.5 to 5.0 MW) proposed by public sector entities and 11 mini-hydro projects (each in the range of 0.1 to 1.0 MW) proposed by private investors. These projects have all been screened for technical and financial viability, but they mostly still face instituti本论文由英语论文网提供整理，提供论文代写，英语论文代写，代写论文，代写英语论文，代写留学生论文，代写英文论文，留学生论文代写相关核心关键词搜索。