The Gacko and Ugljevik thermal power plants, the two largest electricity producers in Republika Srpska (RS), are scheduled to undergo overlapping maintenance in late May, leading to a temporary halt in their operations. As both plants will be offline for approximately 15 days, the state-owned utility company Elektroprivreda Republike Srpske (ERS) will be required to import electricity to compensate for the loss in domestic production.
Together, the Gacko and Ugljevik plants contribute about 61.8 percent of the total electricity generation in RS. Despite the high dependency on these two facilities, ERS has approved their simultaneous maintenance, a decision that has raised concerns among experts and economists.
Economist Zoran Pavlovic criticized the move, pointing out the risks of conducting major maintenance work on both plants at the same time. He warned that electricity prices on the international market could spike during this period, potentially reaching as high as 800 euros per megawatt-hour. Such high costs could strain ERS financially and increase the burden on public finances.
Under normal conditions, thermal power plants undergo major overhauls every four years, provided the equipment remains in good working condition. However, TPP Gacko has not had a comprehensive overhaul in six years. Representatives from the plant estimate that the upcoming maintenance will cost approximately 10 million euros.
There are additional concerns about the outdated equipment at the Gacko facility, which may lead to the need for another round of maintenance within just three years. The aging infrastructure adds to the uncertainty regarding the plant’s reliability and long-term viability.
The temporary shutdown of both TPPs could also have broader economic implications, particularly in the absence of alternative energy sources capable of fully covering the shortfall. Without sufficient backup generation, RS will rely heavily on electricity imports, which could come at a high price depending on market conditions.
ERS has not yet provided details on how it plans to secure electricity supplies during the overlapping maintenance period. Meanwhile, TPP Gacko is also dealing with the reconstruction of its deteriorated cooling tower. Following a public tender, a Hungarian firm in cooperation with four local companies has been awarded the project, valued at over 8 million euros.
As the maintenance period approaches, questions remain about energy security and the financial consequences of relying on imported electricity at a time of reduced domestic capacity.
