In less than a year, the
Ministry of Mining and Energy has taken significant steps towards faster RES development
and made sure that this was done on a sound basis - said Dubravka Đedović
Handanović, Minister of Mining and Energy, at the opening of the RES Serbia 2023 conference.
She emphasized at the
conference, organized by the RES Serbia Association, that everything that was
done demonstrates that the state has well understood the key message of
investors - necessity to create conditions to build new power plants without
delay. Đedović Handanović pointed out that in addition to being the need of
investors, this is also the need of our entire society, as it brings energy
security and a healthier environment.
- After the first auctions,
the state, investors and citizens can be satisfied. The state, because the
price achieved through investor competition is almost twice lower than the
current market price, resulting in additional income for our power system. Construction
of almost 700 megawatts of new capacities has been ensured, while the existing
RES capacities will more than double - said the Minister of Mining and Energy.
She pointed out that Serbia would
get nine new green energy plants and more than one billion euros in
investments, securing more green energy for the people, a healthier environment
and less emissions.
- A greater RES share is one
of the most important development tasks of Elektroprivreda Srbije in the coming
period - said Dušan Živković, acting general manager of EPS JSC. - In addition
to the existing hydro capacities, which make up more than one third of the capacity,
we are ready to make our portfolio even greener. However, this will not happen
at the expense of energy security. The thermal sector is our base energy and we
are actively working to modernize this generation segment. Environmental investments
will ensure long-term sustainable security of supply and reduce emissions. Along
this path, we are supported by all institutions, the Government of Serbia, the
Ministry of Mining and Energy and I am convinced by experts and businesses
alike.
He emphasized that EPS is
developing new solar and wind capacities, while one of the most important investment
projects is the pumped-storage hydropower plant Bistrica, facilitating Serbia’s
and regional power system stability and balancing.
At the RES Serbia 2023 electricity
market panel, EPS was represented by David Žarković, director of the Free
Market Trade Sector.
