“Besides the enhancement to the decarbonization
process, the use of hydrogen would enable a higher level of flexibility and
also security of the power system of Serbia, reducing at the same time the dependence
on imported energy sources. Introducing hydrogen technologies represents both a
technological challenge and a chance. I believe that Elektroprivreda Srbije, in addition to being a driver of economic
development, can also be a driver of introducing the hydrogen technologies”,
said Dušan Živković, Acting General Director of EPS at the opening of the international
conference “Hydrogen – fuel of the future”.
Živković recalled that the hydrogen is one of the
challenges, but also a chance brought to us by the century where the energy
transition became imperative.
- Hydrogen could make the energy transition process
much faster and more efficient. If we opt for hydrogen as an energy source of
the future, our goal has to be the green hydrogen. Time will show whether the
hydrogen is the Holy Grail of the
energy transition in this century and if thus the SO2 emissions will
significantly decrease – said Živković.
He highlighted that Elektroprivreda Srbije has the knowledge and experienced engineers
to launch
the process of introducing hydrogen technologies.
Rade Mrdak, RES advisor in the Ministry of Mining and
Energy, said that the hydrogen is an element recognized as solution for many
power challenges that the modern world is facing today, but there are obstacles
to overcome in order to use its potential.
- The Ministry of Mining and Energy prepares the
Strategy for Energy Development in Serbia and the Integrated Energy and Climate
Plan where the hydrogen will be recognized for the first time in the most
important strategic documents. The Law on the Use of Renewable Energy Sources has
already provided for the basis to introduce first incentives for use of
renewable hydrogen – said Mrdak.
He highlighted that, in the forthcoming period, the
Ministry will focus on design of the system of incentives and driving the
hydrogen market in Serbia, but also on considering the establishment of
regional cooperation. Mrdak recalled that the Government concluded the
Memorandum of Understanding with Chinese
Company Fengling, for the purpose of
construction of the plant for hydrogen production from solar power plants and
wind farms, with the capacity of 30,000 tons of hydrogen annually, for the
needs of decarbonization of the largest mining company in Serbia Zijin Copper.
The conference, organized by Balkan Energy, was attended by representatives of the Chamber of
Commerce of the Republic of Serbia, representatives of Elektroprivreda Crne Gore, university professors and scientific
associates.
