Public Enterprise Electric Power Industry of Serbia was to invest hundreds of millions of euros in the projects such as Nikola Tesla A TPP flue-gas desulphurization system in the upcoming period, since it was the issue of the citizens' health, as well as the issue of economic growth, said prof. PhD Zorana Mihajlović, the Deputy Prime Minister of Serbia and Minister of Mining and Energy in TENT A.
Along with Mr. Janez Kopač, director of Energy Community Secretariat, Mr. Takahiko Katsumata, Ambassador of Japan in Serbia, and Mr. Milorad Grčić, acting director of PE EPS, Ms. Mihajlović visited the works at the construction of flue gas desulphurization system at the largest EPS thermal power plant.
We are jointly investing half a billion euros solely in the desulphurization projects. Condition number one is energy safety, having enough gas, electricity, but equally important condition is environmental protection. Serbia is making great steps in creating modern laws and strategies, we want to build a place for new investments, to invest in renewable energy sources and energy efficiency. I truly believe that we will have National Energy and Climate Plan until the end of this year, and that we will be “greener" next year already. We will work hard on the energy transition which is a prerequisite for industrial development of our country – said Ms. Mihajlović.
Electric Power Industry of Serbia acting director, Mr. Milorad Grčić, underlined that each day in which something great was done for EPS, in terms of generation capacities and transmission systems, was a great day.
The construction of TENT A desulphurization system is one of the largest and most important EPS projects and only one of the projects conducted with the aim of environmental protection and securing the longevity of each installed production capacity. Desulphurization system we are building is for units A3, A4, A5 and A6. Next in line will be units A1 and A2, following the large major overhaul, while the system for TENT B is also under construction. During the previous period we have reduced the emissions of particulate matter eight to ten times. EUR 500 million have been invested in environmental protection projects, and an investment of EUR 1.2 billion is planned for the upcoming period – said Mr. Grčić and added he expected that TENT A desulphurization system could be completed sometime before May 2022, for when it was planned.
Mr. Janez Kopač said he was pleased to attend the small celebration of progress in the largest thermal power plant in Serbia.
Energy Community is an organization for the whole Europe, integrating electricity and gas market. In 2013, we adopted the Large Combustion Plants Directive, burdening thermal power plants harmful emissions with additional prices. Energy sector (in Serbia) has not been paying them until now. Now this is being changed, due to European Community legal framework – said Mr. Kopač.
Ambassador of Japan in Serbia Mr. Takahiko Katsumata emphasized that the desulphurization plant in TENT A was the first environmental protection project to be realized within the agreement of the Governments of Serbia and Japan, entailing support to Serbia's accession to EU.
