On March 17, 2025, amendments to the Law on Technological Industrial Development Zones were officially adopted and published in the Official Gazette. These amendments provide a legal framework for confirming (legalization) of the status of installed technical equipment within the zones (such as photovoltaic power plants).

What is Considered Technical Equipment?

Under the amended law, “technical equipment” includes devices, machines, and installations subject to technical inspection. With these latest amendments, photovoltaic power plants are now officially recognized as technical equipment and subject to the provisions of the revised legislation.

Confirmation of Legal Status

For technical equipment whose legal status has not yet been determined but was fully installed and forms a construction and functional unit before the law’s entry into force, the TIDZ Directorate is authorized to confirm its legal status.

Conditions for Confirmation

To qualify for confirmation, the following requirements must be met:

• Submission of complete documentation.
• An on-site inspection report confirming that the facility is a construction and functional unit.
• The facility and/or technical equipment must have been installed before the law’s enactment.
• The facility and/or technical equipment must be on land within the zone, where the applicant holds a lease or ownership right. If the land is state-owned without a lease agreement, proof of a submitted lease request is required.
• Necessary approvals and consents must be obtained (if applicable under state urban planning regulations).
• The facility must serve either Purpose – Public Institutions or Purpose – Production, Distribution, and Services or be essential to the zone’s operations.

Application Procedure

To initiate the process, applicants must submit a written request to the TIDZ Directorate along with:

• A company extract from the Central Registry of North Macedonia (not older than six months);
• A property certificate for the site where the equipment is installed;
• A notarized statement from the contractor/installer confirming compliance with technical documentation;
• A notarized statement confirming that the equipment is operational;
• Proof that the photovoltaic power plant meets the prescribed power limits under the Law on Energy;

A Decision for Use, issued by the State Inspectorate for Technical Inspection

Review & Approval Process

• Upon receiving a complete application, a commission from the Directorate will conduct an on-site inspection, documenting the findings with a report and photographs.
• Once compliance with Article 34-e is verified, the Directorate will issue a fee calculation within 5 working days.
• The fee is 50 EUR per kW of installed power, payable within 20 working days.
• Upon payment, the Directorate will issue a Decision on Confirmation of Technical Equipment, which serves as the legal basis for registering ownership rights with the Real Estate Cadastre Agency.

Important Notice

If technical equipment is not legally confirmed, it will be subject to removal procedures under the Law on Construction.

Note: The above does not constitute legal advice and in no way can be accepted or understood as an instruction to act in a specific case. Each legal situation has its own characteristics that should be reviewed at separately, and for that reason we recommend that you contact a professional – a lawyer – for legal advice.