Delegation from Macedonia visits Norsk Energi

A delegation from Mecedonia visited Eramet’s smelting facility in Kvinesdal together with representatives from Norsk Energi.

-The visit was a success, with a contributing factor being due to Eramet Kvinesdal taking the time and effort of opening their smelting facility to the delegation for training purposes, says senior consultant Ann Iren Glimsdal in Norsk Energi who is project manager for the bilateral cooperation in this area.

-Eramet in Kvinesdal has been an innovative forerunner in the field of  energy and heat recovery  in the metallurgical sector.  The plant showcases an energy recovery project which is presently being evaluated for the Skopski Leguri facility, located in Skopje, Macedonia.  During the four-day visit to Norway, Norsk Energi organised several training seminars for the Macedonian delegation, she explains.

Increased energy efficiency

The aim of the capacity building program in Macedonia is to develop tools and knowledge to assist local industry in being more cost effective and environmentally friendly.  Support and training for industry and students in energy efficiency and energy recovery, directly impacts both of these objectives.
-Macedonian industry is preparing for the requirements the country must fulfil in their aim of becoming an EU-member, Glimsdal confirms. The program for capacity building in Macedonia is presently in its third and final year.  The program is funded by the grant "Peace and reconciliation initiatives in the Western Balkans", which is administered by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Energy efficiency skills

-The energy efficiency component of the program includes building the capacity and knowledge of local professionals, who in the future could assist industry in identification and development of energy efficiency projects.   The program has additionally completed training courses for local industry representatives and consultants on implementation of environmental management systems, Glimsdal states.
-There is increasing emphasis on environmental management in international tenders, which resulted in a strong interest and participation in this course,  Glimsdal continues. The implementation of environmental management systems will assist companies in Macedonia with the increasing environmental reporting requirements to government as the country heads towards EU integration, she adds.

Ann Iren Glimsdal is project manager for Norsk Energi's Macedonia initiative

Useful for students

 Norsk Energi is working together with Skopski Leguri under the program to broaden the experience of young engineers from the local University.  Four engineering students from the University were selected to join the delegation from a large number of applicants.  Norsk Energi is preparing a report assessing the energy recovery potential at Skopski Leguri, forming the basis for the training program for young engineers.
-The students are preparing a report on energy recovery in the ferro-alloy industry under the supervision of two local professors.  The visit to Norway was of great benefit to the students, not only in receiving training from Norsk Energi, but visiting a facility with several examples of energy recovery systems already implemented.  It is of great value for students who will soon join the labour market to participate in such assessments, Glimsdal says.

A new report

-The engineering students will present their findings and experience to the local academic community and industry representatives.  Hopefully, this experience will also assist them in seeking work in industry, she continues.

-In addition to the four students, representatives from Skopski Leguri and two professors took part in the delegation.  The delegation was accompanied on the trip by our partner organisation in Macedonia, The Centre for Climate Change, Glimsdal concludes.

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Eramet’s energy efficiency coordinator Johnny Anker Strømland explains the energy recovery system in the smelting facility for representatives from Skopski Leguri in Macedonia.