Green
energy generation and environmental protection are high on the list of
priorities of Electric Power Industry of Serbia, which is why, in cooperation
with American company E3 International, we have successfully initiated the
project of short-rotation coppice, said Mr. Milorad Grčić, PE EPS acting
director.
With
the representatives of the Government of Serbia, embassies, international
institutions and E3 International delegation, Mr. Grčić visited the short-rotation
coppice plantation at Field G mine border in Kolubara MB, which represents the
pilot phase of SLLES project (growing short-rotation biomass plantations – coppice)
in PE EPS.
- The
main priority of Electric Power Industry of Serbia is electricity generation,
but green electricity generation is right next in line, i.e. the increase of
green energy percentage within EPS and environmental protection. Up to this
point, EPS invested EUR 540 million and keeps investing – said Mr. Grčić.
He
emphasized that environmental protection remains a priority, but that EPS
thermal sector needs to be preserved so that Serbia could have stable energy
system and sufficient amounts of electricity, for households as well as
industry.
- When
we say thermal sector, we mean mines as well. And here we are in a mine where
we started with a project which is evidently at the beginning of its success.
For one, we only have three hectares planted with several types of willows
which are not from Serbia, but also one Serbian type which is fighting for its
place, which I am sure it will succeed – said Mr. Grčić.
Daniel
Berg, advisor in E3 International, thanked EPS director for his support and
excellent cooperation during the previous period.
- Three
years ago, we talked about sustainable energy, we are talking about it again
and I am pleased about it. This project is still a child. We are hoping it will
grow and produce energy for Serbia for a long time – said Berg.
The
president of E3 company, Bonnie Norman, said that the project with EPS enabled
for land reclamation, but also new job vacancies which would enable for easier
and just energy transition, and added that there are 1.6 million hectares of
unused and degraded land, together with mine landfills.
- We
are looking forward to raising this project on a higher level and start
reclamation on a larger area in the fall, and thus help creating better future
– emphasized Norman.
The
project was supported by the Austrian Development Agency.
