Serbia’s state-owned power utility, EPS, has initiated a tender for the preliminary design to facilitate the conservation, environmental impact assessment and eventual closure of its coal-fired thermal power plants, TPP Kolubara and TPP Morava. The estimated value of this project is around 325,000 euros, with the tender open until November 13.
As Europe increasingly moves away from fossil fuel-based thermal power plants, Serbia faces similar challenges with aging facilities like TPP Kolubara and TPP Morava, which are nearing the end of their operational life. These plants are subject to the EU’s Large Combustion Plant Directive, which imposes strict ecological standards for emissions reduction. According to the National Emission Reduction Plan, plants failing to meet these standards are limited to just 20,000 operational hours between 2018 and 2024. Most of these facilities have not aligned their emissions with regulations and are slated for shutdown.
The closure process requires careful planning to mitigate negative impacts on the local economy, environment, and taxpayers. Key to this planning is the conservation of the plants, allowing for the preservation of essential components such as boilers, turbines, and cooling systems, which would enable potential reactivation in case of an electricity supply crisis.
The future use of the sites where TPP Kolubara and TPP Morava are located is also under consideration. An analysis will evaluate the potential for alternative uses, including maintaining parts of the equipment as a strategic reserve for Serbia’s electricity system. TPP Kolubara, with a capacity of 271 MW, is the oldest facility in the EPS system, featuring five units, some of which have been out of service for years. Plans are in place for conservation of the remaining operational units.
Similarly, TPP Morava, located in Svilajnac and comprising a single 125 MW unit, is also slated for decommissioning. The conservation efforts here aim to preserve crucial components while exploring various economically sustainable uses for the site.
