The infrastructure in the Pelagonija region is of great importance for the region, because at the same time it is an opportunity for additional economic development.
The region has a good geographical position, proximity to a European Union member state and two NATO member states. The region has relatively good road infrastructure and connectivity within the region. For the development of the economy, a great opportunity is the reactivation of the railway crossing near Kremenica. That is, the functionality of the railway connection Veles – Bitola – Florina with access to the port of Thessaloniki will have a huge impact on the development of the economy and the flow of people, goods and capital. The opening of the border crossing Markova Noga with the Republic of Greece and the construction of the expressway Prilep – Veles. Improving good neighborly relations with R. Greece and the reopening of the border crossing near the village of Kremenica (border with the Republic of Greece).
On the territory of the region there are significant benefits in terms of transport and infrastructure.
- Good communication connection within the region and internationally. However, some of those communications need to be improved (railway Bitola – Florina), the road Prilep – Bitola – Resen, etc.
- The energy complex REK Bitola is of great importance for the region. With the installed capacity of 3 blocks x 225 MW, at certain moments it produces over 70% of the total produced electricity. energy in the Republic of Macedonia.
- The ore deposits in Pelagonija and Mariovo which today are used in the three blocks of TPP Bitola.
- Providing energy from stable, reliable, clean and renewable sources is a huge potential due to the favorable climatic conditions in the region for the production of energy from water (Cebren and Galiste), sun, wind and biomass.
- 100% coverage with overhead digital cadastre.
- High coverage with water supply systems (lack of such systems in some rural areas).
As unfavorable conditions in the Pelagonija planning region are
- Lack of local / regional pipelines for drinking water supply in rural areas
- Lack of detailed analysis of traffic connections in the region, appropriate integrated traffic management and control (vertical and horizontal signalization), pedestrian and bicycle paths (in terms of safety).
- Insufficient capacity for drainage and treatment of wastewater, in addition to the negative effects on the population, also affects the environment, as well as agriculture and agricultural production (organic and eco production). The situation in the rural areas is the most endangered, because the urban centers are covered in a large percentage, and according to the dynamics and plans for solving this problem, Prilep and Bitola in the near future will eliminate the dangers of this threat.
Communal infrastructure
The Pelagonija planning region has about 605 km of water supply network which mostly covers the urban centers of the municipalities. Based on the data from the 2002 Census, 95.7% of the households in this region are supplied with drinking water through organized water supply systems.
Coverage of the population in urban areas with drinking water systems ranges from 80% (Dolneni), 95% (Bitola), 98% (Prilep), to 100% (Krushevo and Demir Hisar), while in rural areas this indicator is ranges from 30% to 80%.
In the Pelagonija planning region are located three larger accumulation lakes Strezevo, Prilep and Suvodol and several smaller accumulation lakes.
In the Pelagonija region there are 8 landfills that are registered in accordance with the National Waste Management Plan, and according to the risk of environmental pollution. Out of the total number of landfills, 3 are classified as risky, while 5 landfills are ranked as low risk.
The initiative for construction of a regional landfill in the Pelagonija planning region has been started and is ongoing. In 2014, the Inter-Municipal Board for Regional Integrated Waste Management (RIUO) was established to fully establish a regional waste management system. During 2014, an application was submitted to the European Union which envisages the preparation of a plan for RIUO for the Pelagonija planning region.
Road infrastructure
The two road border crossings are a very important segment for better mutual and international connection of the region, as well as for improving the quality of life for the citizens in the Pelagonija region. One with the Republic of Albania near Stenje and the border crossing Medzitlija with the Republic of Greece. The third border crossing is by rail at Kremenica on the border with the Republic of Greece and it is not in use. According to the existing data from the strategic documents and action plans of the Ministry of Transport and Communications and PE Macedonian Railways, in the coming period is planned complete reconstruction of this railway line and its re-commissioning.
The condition of the local road network in the region is at a much lower level compared to European standards. Communication connections are good, but the condition of the roads, vertical and horizontal signalization is in an unenviable condition. Out of a total of 14,395 km of road network in the Republic of Macedonia, 2,031.5 km or 14.32% pass on the territory of the Pelagonija region, which can be concluded that the region is well communicated.
Railway infrastructure
The connection of the Pelagonija region with the railway infrastructure is at an enviable level. The total length of the railway in the region is 114 km, while the average density is 57.18 km / km2, which is far above the average in the Republic of Macedonia of 27 km / km2.
Aviation infrastructure
In the vicinity of Bitola and Prilep are located two sports airports of class A, which are on the grass. There are three airports for commercial aviation, two of which are located in the vicinity of Bitola – “Logovardi” and “Dame Gruev”, and one in the vicinity of Prilep – “Sarandinovo”. Some of the municipalities in the region have relatively good access to the airport “St. Pavle ”in Ohrid in the Southwest planning region, which after the reconstruction has optimal conditions and capacity that can contribute to the development of the surrounding regions.
Energy infrastructure
The amount of energy consumed in the region in 2008 was 154 GWh while in 2012 the consumption was 169 GWh which is an increase of 8.8%. The installed capacity for electricity generation in the region is 712 MW, with continuous supply of electricity. REK “Bitola” with an installed capacity of 3 blocks x 225 MW, provides 70% of the total production in the Republic of Macedonia and 99% of the production in the Pelagonija region. The main resource of the thermal power plant is lignite. Coal deposits are estimated in the region in Brod Gneotino with 45 million tons and in Mariovo with 110 million tons.