Speaking to TV21 about the outcome of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Hristijan Mickoski said it is clear the world is moving toward increasing electricity consumption and the use of artificial intelligence (AI).
For AI to deliver the expected results, data centers are necessary, and they require electricity, the prime minister underscored.
This will further boost the expected electricity consumption growth in other sectors.
It is possible to attract investments of at least EUR 400 billion
Over the next ten years, an additional 40,000 GW of new power plants are needed, he recalled.
Mickoski said that the region, the Western Balkans, should unite and offer the possibility for these investments to be implemented. If only an insignificant part ends up in the region, it represents an investment of EUR 400 billion over the next ten years, he stressed.
Mickoski in Davos at a panel with US Energy Secretary Chris Wright (fifth from left) and Fatih Birol (IEA)
Mickoski pointed out that he is working on this, and added that the entire Western Balkans—Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Kosovo*, and North Macedonia—have a combined GDP of about EUR 200 billion per year.
“Skopje – Regional Connectivity Initiative”
He underscored that he plans to create a regional initiative and brand it as the “Skopje – Regional Connectivity Initiative.” For all of this to function, gas interconnectors and power lines are needed, the Prime Minister noted.
Mickoski is convinced that the global investments in new power plants will happen. The only question is whether the region will recognize and seize the opportunity.
Over the next 20, 25, or 30 years the two essential pillars of global development will be AI and the need for electricity, he added.
In his view, these are the main messages from Davos.
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* This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSCR 1244/99 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.