Processes for connecting power plants utilizing variable renewable energy sources are being delayed due to identified risks to the secure operation of the power system caused by insufficient system balancing reserves, according to EMS AD. Among the facilities exempt from potential connection postponement, which eKapija had access to, are 27 wind farms and five solar power plants. The Development Plan of the Transmission System of the Republic of Serbia for the 2023-2032 period, recently approved by the Energy Agency, specifies that the system’s maximum capacity for balancing renewable energy sources is 5800 MW (4800 MW for wind farms and 1000 MW for solar installations).
Citing the Law on the Use of Renewable Energy Sources, EMS underscores that connection postponement does not apply to facilities for which, at the time of conducting the adequacy analysis, a contract for a connection study has been concluded with the transmission system operator. The list of such facilities is provided within the Transmission System Development Plan.
The list of exempt facilities, as disclosed by eKapija, includes 27 wind farms: Alibunar 1, Alibunar 2, Banat, Banat 3, Banatsko Novo Selo, Banat 2, Uljma, Bašaid, Bela Anta, Bela Anta 2, Crni Vrh Power, Čibuk 2, Čestobrodica, Elicio Ali 2, Kostolac, Krivača, Maestrale Ring, Nikine Vode, Plandište 1, Pupin, Torak, Vetrozelena, Celzijus 1, Elicio Wind 01, GEX Wind 1, Košava, and Novo Selo 2, with a combined installed capacity of 4199.52 MW.
The list also encompasses five solar power plants: Solarina, Adria Solea Sjenica, Kima Solar, PV Power Plant, and Uljma, with a total installed capacity of 352 MW.
Furthermore, EMS notes that the postponement of connection to the transmission system does not apply if the applicant for a Connection Study:
- Provides new capacity to offer ancillary services secondary reserve, required for system regulation of frequency and exchange power, or
- Allocates new capacity from existing production to provide ancillary services for system regulation, or
- Ensures that another market participant provides the necessary capacity for ancillary services.
EMS reminds that as part of the preparation of the Transmission System Development Plan, an adequacy analysis of production and transmission systems was conducted. According to Article 67a, Paragraph 2 of the Law on the Use of Renewable Energy Sources, if the adequacy analysis indicates risks to the power system’s safe operation due to a lack of balancing reserves, the transmission system operator must publish a notice of potential connection postponement on its website within ten working days of the Energy Agency’s approval of the transmission system development plan.
