The 10-megawatt solar power plant “Petka” is in trial
operation as of today, and this is another important pioneering turn in our
energy sector. On the site of the old mining dumping site, we are now generating
clean, green energy, which is a milestone and the beginning of the energy
transition of “Elektroprivreda Srbije” and an example of how we can use old
energy for new energy – said Dubravka Đedović Handanović, the Minister of
Mining and Energy, at the ceremonial trial operation commissioning of the first
solar power plant in Kostolac.
She emphasized that there are no large or small
projects, because for Serbia's energy security, every megawatt is important and
means greater security.
- In the mining area today, in addition to the solar
power plant “Petka”, the wind turbines of the first EPS wind farm are also
being erected. They were also built mainly on reclaimed overburden dumps. In
August, we expect connection to the grid and the testing phase when the
propellers will spin. This will strengthen our electricity system here in
Kostolac by 76 megawatts of green energy - said Đedović Handanović.
She reminded that the Energy Development Strategy
defines the strategic goal of the Government of the Republic of Serbia to have
the share of renewable energy sources reach 45 percent by 2030.
We still have a lot to do, and we have to make maximum
efforts because we have strategic projects ahead of us that will significantly
change the electricity supply of Serbia. These are primarily the construction
of the reversible hydroelectric power plant “Bistrica” and the project of 1 GW
solar power plants with battery storage. The necessary investments in energy in
the next 10 years are estimated at around EUR 14 billion. Therefore, we have to
make up for all delays and be up to the task in order to ensure energy peace
for future generations – concluded Đedović Handanović.
- Our first solar plant here in “Kostolac” has a
capacity of 10 megawatts, and with the wind farm that will be online in the
coming period and the 350 megawatts of unit B3 from the end of last year, this
area is energetically stronger by as much as 426 megawatts. That is
significantly more power and provides us special security, especially in times
of global crises that we have witnessed recently - said Dušan Živković, General
Manager of EPS.
He pointed out that each new megawatt is important for
EPS and the power system, especially on tropical days when the demand for
electricity is increasing..
- This strengthens not only our green portfolio, but
also the reliability of the entire energy sector, and citizens and businesses
have, as before, a secure supply. Projects like this are concrete steps towards
decarbonization and sustainable energy development, which are our goals for the
coming decades. We will continue with similar projects here in Kostolac, but
also at landfill sites and dumps in other parts of EPS –said Živković.
Aleksandar Latinović, Head of System Services at EPS
and one of the project leaders of the SPP “Petka”, pointed out that valuable
experience was gained during the construction, that there were many challenges
that brought some new solutions and knowledge, and that “Petka” is just the
beginning and an incentive for the construction of new capacities.
