Serbia’s state-owned power utility, EPS, has added new production capacity with the commissioning of the B3 unit at the Kostolac B thermal power plant. This follows the official handover of the Certificate of Acceptance between EPS and the project’s contractor, the Chinese company China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC).
Minister of Mining and Energy, Dubravka Đedović, described the event as a historic moment for Serbia’s energy sector. She highlighted that the 350 MW Kostolac B3 unit is now officially part of the country’s electricity system, marking the first major energy facility built in Serbia in nearly 35 years. Minister Đedović also emphasized that ongoing projects and investments aim to ensure Serbia’s energy self-sufficiency.
The new unit is expected to contribute about 5% of Serbia’s total electricity production, strengthening the country’s energy security, which has become a top priority, especially in Europe and the surrounding region. The minister also pointed out that the new power plant will not only provide reliable electricity but will also adhere to the highest environmental standards for energy generation.
Despite challenges during construction, testing, and inspections, Minister Đedović expressed her gratitude to everyone who contributed to the project. This $618 million project is part of the second phase of the 2012 credit agreement between Serbia and China, which also includes the expansion of the Drmno open-pit coal mine from 9 million to 12 million tons of coal annually. The permitting and construction process took 11 years to complete.
