North Macedonia leaders clash over data center development

A political dispute has emerged in North Macedonia regarding the construction of data centers across the country. SDSM leader Venko Filipče has raised alarms over the potential impact on national resources, warning that these facilities could lead to increased electricity prices, a greater dependency on energy imports, and the diversion of water resources away from agriculture and local ecosystems.

Filipče cited a document claiming a company has already secured 100 MW of electricity and access to the Vardar River for a data center project, accusing the government of operating “under the table.” He expressed concern that using large amounts of water for cooling could harm biodiversity and leave farmers without sufficient supply.

In response, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski defended the government's strategy, stating that the administration is in negotiations with five to six potential investors, including a major multinational corporation. Mickoski accused the opposition of being against national development and failing to recognize the economic importance of artificial intelligence and data infrastructure, comparing the necessity of such technology to the rise of global giants like Nvidia and Amazon.