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North Macedonia to build national data center by end of mandate
North Macedonia is planning the construction of a national data center, with Minister of Digital Transformation Stefan Andonovski stating that the project is expected to be completed before the end of the current government's mandate. A foundation stone is anticipated to be laid next year. The project, valued at approximately 20 million euros, is being funded through a combination of grants and soft loans, with discussions currently underway with six potential financiers. The center is planned for a state-owned site near Skopje within the TIRZ zones.
Dimitar Trajanov, a member of the Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts, emphasized the necessity of building domestic AI models and digital infrastructure to preserve national digital sovereignty. He warned that without such capabilities, the country risks becoming a “digital colony.”
Public debate has addressed concerns regarding environmental impact and resource consumption. Minister Andonovski denied claims that the center would deplete river water for cooling, asserting that technical water would be used and that environmental regulations would prevent damage. Expert Damjan Manchevski also noted that while data centers consume significant electricity, they are essential infrastructure for modern digital services and AI, arguing that the country must move beyond being merely a consumer of foreign digital infrastructure.
Entities
Damjan Manchevski · Dimitar Trajanov · Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts · North Macedonia · Skopje · Stefan Andonovski
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Minister denied reports that a permit was issued for a 100 MW data center using Vardar River water. utrinskivesnik.mk · libertas.mk
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The state data center project is valued at approximately 20 million euros.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The National Data Center construction is expected to be completed within the current government's mandate. utrinskivesnik.mk · libertas.mk
- [● 2 SOURCES] Cooling for the data center will utilize technical water from underground sources rather than rivers or lakes. utrinskivesnik.mk · libertas.mk
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Minister believes domestic companies have the capacity to build the center if they receive international technical support. utrinskivesnik.mk · libertas.mk
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The project's financial structure involves a 30% grant and 70% soft financing.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A feasibility study for the National Data Center project has already been approved.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The foundation stone for the data center is expected to be laid in 2027.