The HPP Cebren and Galiste are listed in the GIS update as options for new HPP under the medium gas price forecast; having a large generation capacity it may contribute to the regional security of supply in case of crisis in the region; it can also contribute to the electricity export to the region.

An international tender procedure for granting water concession and participation in the public private partnership with JSC ELEM was announced in December 2008. In February 2009 the project was presented publicly to numerous, potential investors and consulting companies. At this meeting there were presented the project’s desired structure and the main conditions for closing the envisaged transaction. The Prequalification phase ended on 15 of April 2009. Three companies fulfilled the requirements set in the announcement and were invited to collect the tender documents. These are: RWE Power-Germany, ENEL SpA-Italy and Verbund-Austria.
In December 2009 the government of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia signed a Framework Agreement with International Finance Corporation – IFC for the purpose of cooperating in the development of infrastructure and energy projects through Private Sector participation. After that, Ministry of Economy and IFC concluded the Financial Advisory Services Agreement for Cebren and Galiste Project. The services are structured in that way as to best achieve: a feasible and bankable transaction, attractive to the private sector and beneficial to the Government; conduct a fair, transparent and competitive selection process; and selection an optimal private sector partner for participation in the project.
Services will be provided in two phases: the preparation and the implementation phase. In the first phase a limited legal and financial review will be carried out, and a possible option for the transaction will be designed; In the second phase IFC will assist in implementing the preferred option and executing the bidding process.