At a time when energy security is imperative, all
countries and energy companies are looking for the best solutions that will
ensure energy sovereignty, with maximum use of the existing resources,
diversification of sources and immediate transition, said Dušan Živković, General
Manager of Elektroprivreda Srbije, at the “Energy Week Western Balkans
2024” conference in Budva.
- Since Serbia significantly depends on coal, besides
the development of renewable energy sources, we are also thinking about basic
energy and it is important to look at the potential of nuclear energy. Another
challenge is balancing of RES energy and EPS is focused on development of
pumped storage power plant projects, i.e. the pumped storage hydro power plant “Đerdap
3” – said Živković.
He emphasized that by 2026, Elektroprivreda Srbije
would have 80 percent of its hydro capacity revitalized,
which will ensure 30 years of their reliable operation.
- With UGT Renewables and Hyundai partners, we will
develop a project for one gigawatt of solar, which will bring us a significant RES
share. In the meantime, we continue to work on the projects of pumped storage
hydropower plants, and it is necessary to replace 4,000 megawatts in thermal
sector with environmentally friendly sources. The amendments to the energy law implying
the abolition of the moratorium on nuclear energy are very good news, because
no country should limit its options. At the time of the former Yugoslavia,
Serbia had a nuclear program and is surrounded by countries that have nuclear
energy – said Živković.
The conference “Energy Week Western Balkans 2024”
brings together representatives of the Western Balkans countries and Croatia.
They will discuss the green energy sector critical topics, such as strategies
for regional integration, transition from coal to renewables, grid resilience,
market challenges, policy shaping and financing options.
