Macedonia's hydroelectric plant " Kozjak", built by China International Water and Electric Corporation(CIWEC), began to fill up its lake, MIA news agency reported.

Macedonian Prime Minister Branko Crvenkovski and Chinese ambassador to Macedonia Zhang Wanxue attended a ceremony held near river Treska, 50 kilometers South to Macedonian Capital of Skopje.

Branko Crvenkovski thanked the Chinese engineers taking part in the construction, saying that the hydroelectric plant would benefit Macedonian people.

The investment in the project is 80 million US dollars, one of the largest of its kind in Macedonia, said Crvenkovski at the ceremony.

"The important thing is that the project has been realized in the most difficult period of our existence", he added.

The filling up of the lake, which is expected to finish in 7 or 9 months, creates conditions for the beginning of work of the first aggregate for electricity production by March 2004, followed by the second in September.

According to Macedonian Power Company general director Pande Lazarov, "Kozjak" will generate 160 million kilowatts of electricity, which will be used to overcome electricity deficiencies in the country.

Besides electricity, "Kozjak" will protect Skopje from floods and aid the industry with sufficient water.