Hydrogen will play an important role in the future, especially in industry, transport and energy storage, and Elektroprivreda Srbije (EPS) follows the development of green hydrogen production technologies, primarily through electrolysis that uses electricity from renewable sources. There are activities in evaluating the possibility of linking the production of energy from RES with the production of hydrogen through electrolysis – said Saša Đorđević, Director of the Exploitation Sector in the RES branch of EPS, at the Third Belgrade Hydrogen Conference.
Đorđević pointed out that EPS is focused on the strategic plans of the country, and the key strategy in the energy transition process is to strengthen the production portfolio, diversify sources, and increase the share of renewable energy. He reminded that the absolute priority in this process is to preserve the stability of Serbia's power system, and one of the goals is that by 2030, 45 percent of electricity production will come from RES.
- Strategic projects are construction of the Bistrica Pumped-Storage Hydro Power Plant, which will provide greater integration of RES and will ensure the safety of the system in the future. The priority is a large 1 GW solar project with a 200 MW battery storage, which will strengthen the EPS renewable energy portfolio in terms of both power and production. It is certain that electricity consumption will increase in the future, especially with the increasing digitalization and electrification of transport. That is why it is necessary to develop a diversified and balanced energy mix – said Đorđević.
At the panel "Regional Cooperation in Improving Energy Transition", he pointed out that the focus is on investments in strengthening solar and wind power, with greater exploitation of hydro potential, but it is crucial to provide reliable base energy, which is what thermal power plants are today. As Đorđević pointed out, EPS is also planning a new gas-fired power plant in Niš, which will produce heat in addition to electricity, and is certainly part of all activities that the country initiates in the field of nuclear energy.
