In 2024, Serbia continued in the direction of development and work on energy transition, sustainability and a healthier environment.
As one of the first steps, a decision was made that funds for the energy renovation of public buildings and households should be twice as large as in 2023.
Two key moments in the development of Serbia’s energy sector are the adoption of the Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan for the period up to 2030, with projections up to 2050, and the adoption of the Bill on Amendments to the Energy Act. The first of them opens a new stage in Serbia’s energy transition, as the plan represents a clear road map to the sustainable development of the energy sector. The second moment is aimed at fulfilling the obligations from the Treaty on the Establishment of the Energy Community, thereby contributing to further alignment with European standards and strengthening the country’s energy security.
Speaking of completed projects, the commissioning of the flue gas desulphurization plant at the Nikola Tesla A thermal power plant stands out, which was presented as the largest environmental project. In addition to this, a very important moment is the commissioning of Krivac in Golupac – the largest wind farm in the region and the first in Eastern Serbia. A new biomass heating plant in Majdanpek was put into operation, the new construction of substations in Mrčajevci, then the implementation of the rehabilitation of the “Krivi vir” boiler room within the Municipal Heating Plant in Niš and others.
At the end of November, the second round of auctions for the allocation of market premiums for renewable energy sources was announced, where investors will compete for the distribution of quotas totaling 424.8 MW.
Support and cooperation in the field of energy
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) allocated three million euros for the development of renewable sources in district heating systems throughout Serbia. The European Union also supported the implementation of the second phase of the program “Renewable energy sources – development of the biomass market in the Republic of Serbia”, with 10 million euros in grants. In addition, a contract was signed with the European Investment Bank for the procurement and installation of around 400,000 smart meters throughout the country.
A contract was concluded with the consortium of companies “Hyundai Engineering” and “UGT Renewables” for the realization of the project of construction of self-balancing solar power plants in Serbia. This project includes the installation of an electrical energy storage system with a total capacity of 200 MW, which will enable the installation of 1 GW of newly installed power through solar panels.
A memorandum of understanding regarding the Serbia-Romania gas interconnector construction project was agreed in August. The completion of the project will provide another direction of natural gas supply, connecting the Mokrina hub in Serbia with the BRUA transport pipeline in Romania.
In 2024, Hungary, Serbia and Slovenia joined the electricity exchanges, which enables simpler and more efficient trading of electricity in the region.
During the year, numerous talks were held with representatives of countries around the world with the aim of strengthening cooperation in the field of the energy sector, gas supply and energy transition. Key partners include Japan, China, Greece, Montenegro, Spain, Russia, Azerbaijan, Norway and many other countries.
Environmental protection
At the beginning of the year, four public tenders were announced for environmental projects of cities and municipalities, with a total of 1.25 billion dinars secured. The funds were intended for the replacement of boiler rooms in heating plants, fireplaces in households, afforestation, greening and cleaning of wild landfills.
During the year, the Regulation on the subsidized purchase of new electric vehicles was adopted, for which the Ministry of Environmental Protection allocated 170 million dinars. This measure proved to be successful, because there was great interest in the purchase of electric vehicles, so funds were provided for the purchase of 357 vehicles.
500 million dinars have been provided for protected areas, which is the largest amount so far. Speaking of protected areas, Serbia got several new ones in 2024. The “Golija” Nature Park, the “Mojstirsko – Draške planine” Special Nature Reserve, then the “Veliki Jastrebac” Nature Park, as well as the “Rudnik Mountain” Area of Exceptional Characteristics were declared. During the year, contracts were signed with the managers of 93 protected areas, as well as contracts to support afforestation and greening projects in 38 local governments. Additionally, contracts were signed with other cities and municipalities for new investments in protected areas on their territories.
This year, four laws were adopted in the field of environmental protection, which relate to environmental impact assessment, control of the risk of major accidents with hazardous substances, confirmation of the Minamata Convention on mercury, and strategic impact assessment. These laws aim to align with European regulations and improve citizen participation in decision-making.
The first permit for emissions of gases with a greenhouse effect was handed over to Belgrade’s Nikola Tesla Airport, and the power plant in Vinča, which produces heat and electricity for the needs of Belgrade’s citizens, was put into operation.
One of the important contracts was signed in Bečej, where the 30-year-old wastewater treatment plant will be expanded and modernized. Also, contracts were signed for the reconstruction of the plant in Pećinci and the continuation of the modernization of the Regional Center for Waste Management in Pirot, including the construction of a compost plant for the treatment of green and biodegradable waste.
Solving the problem of unsanitary landfills began in Topola, Subotica and Prokuplje, and cleaning up wild landfills in Nova Crvenka. During the year, 46 kilometers of sewage network were built in Nis, along with the construction of the largest wastewater treatment plant in Serbia. In the middle of the year, the construction of a wastewater treatment plant in Sečnje began. Also, contracts were signed for the construction of sewers in Priboj, Bečej and the city collector in Zrenjanin, which improves waste water management. In 2024, a total of more than 340 kilometers of sewage networks have been contracted or are under construction in Serbia.
Waste removal trucks were also assigned to municipalities such as Titel, Temerin, Gornji Milanovac, Nova Crnja, Bela Crkva, Paraćin and others.
At the end of the year, additional funds were provided to continue the construction of regional centers for waste management throughout Serbia in 2025.
Katarina Vuinac
Source: energetskiportal.rs
