Serbia now has a Just Energy Transition Plan until 2030. The document contains suggested measures for the mitigation of the impact of reducing fossil fuel use, primarily coal, so that workers, firms and communities aren’t left behind.

Following last month’s completion of the public consultation process regarding the proposed Just Transition Action Plan, the Government of Serbia passed, at its last session, the Just Energy Transition Plan of the Republic of Serbia until 2030. The document leans on the Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan (INECP or NECP)

It lays out sustainable energy policy measures that would need or could be undertaken. The point is in reducing fossil fuel dependence and improving security and efficiency of electricity supply by switching to renewable energy sources, and in an energy efficiency boost.

A just transition aims to promote environmentally sustainable economies in a way that is fair and inclusive for all

“A just transition aims to promote environmentally sustainable economies in a way that is fair and inclusive for all – workers, businesses and communities – by creating opportunities for decent work and leaving no one behind. This initiative should not be seen as a fixed set of rules, but as a dynamic process based on dialogue with a focus on addressing the concerns and needs of local populations and affected stakeholders,” the plan reads.

The approach is based on mitigating the negative effects of the energy transition process. It implies significant investments in retraining and reskilling, to assist workers in adjusting to new industries, as well as education, the plan adds.

It highlights the importance of incentivizing the development of new industries, and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, which can enable alternative sources of income and employment.

Electricity system collapse in December 2021 marked as turning point?

Until December 2021, domestic electricity production met domestic needs, although even before that, the power system had been making maximum efforts for many years to provide sufficient amounts of electricity or, rather, provide sufficient amounts of coal for the operation of thermal power plants, the document notes.

There is no elaboration on the time reference, but that’s when a major outage struck coal-fired thermal power plants of state-owned power utility Elektroprivreda Srbije (EPS). Of note, it was one in a string of serious incidents in the electricity system.

Coal plants are old and they mostly don’t comply with environmental standards

“The fact is that existing electricity generation plants are old and most of them are not in line with new operating conditions and standards when it comes to environmental protection. Therefore, it is quite clear that in the case of the Serbian energy sector, the energy transition should lead to a radical change in the structure of sources and methods of electricity production,” according to the plan.

Coal plants, open pit mines could be replaced with wide range of activities from culture to gas power plants

Listed among the possibilities for repurposing coal plants and coal mine land after shutting them down are green power plants (but also gas-fueled energy facilities), launching industrial production, logistical and commercial activities, together with sports, culture, education, agriculture, tourism and waste management.

In 2023. there were 25,288 employees in thermal power plants (22.2%) and coal mines (77.8%), the document notes. The oldest coal plant, Kolubara A of 239 MW, was built in 1956, and the newest unit is Kostolac B3, of 350 MW. It came online last year.

“Social dialogue mechanisms should be established to ensure that the voices of all stakeholders are heard and their concerns are addressed. This includes consultations with trade unions, local self-governments and civil society organisations,” the Just Energy Transition Plan of the Republic of Serbia until 2030 suggests.

Expenses are envisaged at EUR 75.4 million, of which EUR 12 million would be for incentives for entrepreneurship and self-employment and EUR 60 million for improving business structure at existing industrial parks.

Carbon pricing system to make coal power plants in Serbia increasingly uncompetitive

One section covers the upcoming rollout of charges within the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). The tax affects imports of a group of raw materials and electricity. Third countries can be exempted if they establish their own carbon pricing and emissions trading systems.

“In order to balance the economic and environmental impacts of the introduction of domestic carbon pricing in Serbia, a phased approach could be adopted, starting with a modest carbon price and gradually increasing it. Support for affected industries, such as subsidies for low-carbon technologies and worker retraining programs, along with recycling revenues to finance green projects and providing direct rebates to citizens, can mitigate negative effects,” the plan adds.

NGOs have criticized the action plan draft for only describing preparatory activities

Actually, proceeds from greenhouse gas emissions allowances in the EU are used only for the green economic transition, and it is similar with most environmental levies.

The introduction of a carbon tax mechanism will make domestic coal-fired power plants increasingly uncompetitive, especially in regional electricity markets, the government warned.

Nongovernmental organizations and associations earlier criticized the draft, arguing that it delays the energy transition until 2030, only lists preparatory activities and that, inter alia, there is no targeted date for ending the use of coal for electricity production.

In any case, a just energy transition requires defining deadlines and projects and securing funds exclusively for the said purposes. Otherwise the market will trample coal plants and mines, and it will probably happen abruptly, which would jeopardize energy security and employment. Such effects are already tangible in Southeastern Europe, especially in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as in Bulgaria and Slovenia.