The Government of Serbia adopted the Conclusion on the acceptance of the starting points of the Plan for the development of energy infrastructure and energy efficiency measures for the period up to 2028 with projections up to 2030, which defines the goals in all areas of energy. The document is the result of the joint work of the competent state authorities, based on which projects were prioritized and guidelines were given for the development of the energy development strategy, which will be subject to public discussion and adoption by the end of 2023.
At the session held on June 15, the Government of the Republic of Serbia adopted the Conclusion on the acceptance of the starting points of the Plan for the development of energy infrastructure and energy efficiency measures for the period until 2028, with projections until 2030, which defines goals in all areas of energy: electricity production, transmission and distribution network, gas and oil sectors, energy efficiency, as well as assumptions for their fulfillment.
The document is the result of the joint work of the competent state authorities, based on which the prioritization of projects was done and guidelines were given for the development of the energy development strategy, which will be subject to public discussion and adoption by the end of 2023, it was stated in the announcement of the Government of Serbia.
The list of priorities includes key projects in all areas of the department with a clear time plan regarding which projects should be implemented by 2030 and which are part of long-term plans.
Priority: energy security
This document contains a detailed investment plan for the construction of new and revitalization of existing capacities, which are key to preserving the energy security of the Republic of Serbia in the years and decades ahead. According to the experts, interlocutors of Energija Balkana, this is how Serbia’s energy policy is conceived, for the first time on similar foundations on which large and strong countries and economies such as Germany, France, Norway or Great Britain base their energy systems.
This plan envisages the construction of several important new energy facilities that produce electricity from renewable energy sources (wind and solar) with a total installed capacity of 2 GW. These facilities will be capable of self-balancing and will be owned by the state, with the aim of ensuring sufficient quantities of available electricity regardless of movements in foreign markets, guaranteeing the energy independence of the Republic of Serbia in the field of electric power.
In order for these capacities to be safely integrated into the electric power system, the Plan overlooks the accelerated realization of the construction projects of two reversible hydroelectric power plants, primarily the Reversible HPP Bistrica but also the RHE Djerdap 3. This should enable a greater integration of renewable energy sources into our national system without jeopardizing the safe and stable supply of domestic population and economy with sufficient amounts of electricity. In addition, the Plan envisages the construction of a gas thermal power plant of a combined type, for the production of electricity and thermal energy, which should also serve to balance the system, but also potentially as a strategic reserve.
Strategic reserves in the power system
This document provides for the reconstruction of the turbine in the Nikola Tesla A thermal power plant (blocks from A3 to A6) for the needs of heating the city of Belgrade. In addition to the above, investment is planned in the revitalization and improvement of parameters and other aggregates in domestic thermal power plants, along with investment in coal homogenization plants.
The plan envisages serious investments in the maintenance of existing thermal power plants in order to preserve all energy facilities assessed as necessary for the safe and stable operation of our national energy system. Experts assess that the implementation of these projects is in accordance with the highest environmental standards, recognized by reference international institutions, including investments in the primary and secondary reduction of SO2, NOx, particulate matter emissions and desulfurization of waste water in relation to these blocks. In this way, the principle of preserving the environment without jeopardizing Serbia’s energy security and independence returns to strategic energy planning.
Sources of Balkan Energy claim that this document is in accordance with the negotiating position of the Republic of Serbia with the EU under Chapter 32 – Environment, as well as with the National Plan for the reduction of emissions of major pollutants originating from old large combustion plants (the so-called NERP). They also state that the relevant Ministry of Mining and Energy will not allow the closure of most of the existing thermal power plants, but that the older ones will be placed in the so-called strategic reserve.
This will ensure that EPS does not run out of base energy in its production portfolio. And, most importantly, Serbia will not be exposed to the risk of huge electricity imports on an annual basis, which is only in the interest of the so-called import lobby.
In addition, the continuation of thermobolok operation will ensure that thousands of EPS miners will not lose their jobs. This plan envisages the consistent application of everything that is already prescribed by the NERP and harmonized with the Energy Community, emphasized the interlocutors of Energija Balkana.
