Electric
Power Industry of Serbia achieved excellent results and surpassed the set goals
despite difficult conditions imposed by Covid-19 pandemic. Since the beginning
of 2021 EPS has earned approximately EUR 74 million solely from electricity
sales at the free market. Since 1 January until 6 April 1.4 billion kilowatt-hours
of electricity were sold at the exchange, and there was no need to buy energy.
This is approximately three times greater electricity sales at the exchange
than in the same period 2020, owing to excellent hydrological conditions and
EPS expertise.
During
that period, EPS’s hydro power plants generated four billion kilowatt-hours,
which is approximately 50 percent more green energy than in 2020, and
approximately 27 percent more than in 2019. Owing to operational readiness of
the plants and the revitalizations, all hydro power plants used exceptional
river inflows and they generated more electricity.
Coal production at the planned level and stable
operation of thermal power plants enabled EPS to produce a total of 11 billion
kilowatt-hours more electricity since the beginning of the year. That is nine
percent more than in the same period 2020 and six percent more than in 2019.
These results are the continuation of prudent
business operation policy and utilization of all domestic resources. In 2020,
when it was very difficult to achieve successful results and fulfill set plans,
EPS had four times greater profit than planned. We had net profit of RSD 16.2
billion, i.e. approximately EUR 137 million, and fulfilled business operation
plans. In the previous year, EPS paid over RSD 80 billion into the budget of
Serbia. EPS showed strength and resilience owing to professional and devoted
employees and it proved reliable support for the whole Serbia, households, factories
and hospitals.
Electricity
generation in the previous year was increased by 2 percent comparing to 2019.
EPS power plants operated stably and generated somewhat over 24 billion kilowatt-hours
of electricity in 2020. EPS open cast mines in Kolubara mining basin and Drmno
mine in Kostolac produced a total of 39 billion tons of coal. Kolubara mines
achieved great results and for the fourth time in the history exceeded the
production of 30 million tons in one year.
We
continued with investments during 2020. EPS realized investments having the
total value of RSD 37.7 billion. RSD 11.8 billion were invested in
environmental protection projects. One of the most important construction sites
is Kostolac, where a new unit with the capacity of 350 megawatts is being
built, having the total value of USD 618 million. It was busy in Obrenovac as
well, where a successful construction of TENT A desulphurization system was
being conducted, having the total value of EUR 217 million. The foundation
stone was laid for similar plant in TENT B, having the value of EUR 210
million. Approximately EUR 120 million will be realized for the operation of
domestic companies.
I
am very proud that we are implementing a large investment cycle and to have
moved significant projects for the modernization of EPS generation from a
standstill. A set of initiated investments is continued in 2021, and new
projects are soon to be launched. Our goal is to improve the existing thermal
power plants, hydro power plants, mining mechanization, and opening up of
modern mines and building of new “green” power plants presents a special challenge.
