September 10, 2025
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Croatia installs one million smart meters, Serbia reaches 650,000

Croatia has so far installed one million smart meters, while Serbia has reached 650,000. They make up 40% of all power metering devices in Croatia, compared to a 17% level in Serbia.

Digital or smart meters offer numerous advantages for consumers and distribution system operators (DSOs). The devices are a cornerstone of future distribution networks – smart grids that will allow consumers, including many prosumers, to both draw electricity from the network and inject it. Smart grids also enable consumers to provide various flexibility and demand response services.

The smart meters rollout in Croatia is being implemented across the country, with about 40,000 new devices installed per month. Croatia’s DSO HEP-Operator Distribucijskog Sustava (HEP ODS), a subsidiary of state-owned power utility Hrvatska Elektroprivreda (HEP), has previously announced that it intends to replace all 2.5 million devices by the end of 2029.

Nearly all users in the business category have received new devices

Installation of new meters is completely free of charge for customers. It takes about twenty minutes. HEP underlined that smart meters offer a range of benefits – enabling simpler and remote reading of consumption, more precise consumption management, better planning, and savings.

Danijela Žaja, chief of the metering and market support sector of HEP ODS, told RTL that more than one million smart meters have been installed so far for households and firms. In the business category, almost all meters have already been replaced, she said, Poslovni Dnevnik reported.

In her words, new devices help consumption management.

Serbia is financing new meters with loans

According to Ana Pavlović, head of the electricity markets support sector of neighboring Serbia’s DSO Elektrodistribucija Srbije (EDS), so far the company has installed almost 650,000 smart meters.

EDS plans to set up another 200,000 units in the next round, financed by a loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), she said at a conference organized by Energija Balkana.

Out of the 200,000 meters, the cities of Čačak and Kraljevo are earmarked for 30,000 each, and 140,000 are for consumers in Niš. The next project is the installation of 400,000 smart meters, to be financed by a loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB).

Niš will be one of the first cities in Serbia to be almost entirely covered by smart meters, Pavlović stressed, as quoted by Tanjug.

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September 9, 2025
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Bajramović: Investments of BAM 1.4 billion needed for distribution grids in BiH

Necessary investments in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s electricity distribution grids by 2030 amount to BAM 1.4 billion (EUR 716 million), according to Zijad Bajramović, chairman of the Bosnia and Herzegovina committee of the International Council on Large Electric Systems (CIGRE).

The growing installation of power plants utilizing renewable energy sources is creating congestion in transmission and distribution networks, so the limited available capacity for their connection is an issue across the entire region, Zijad Bajramović told state news agency Fena. Nezavisne Novine republished the report.

An additional burden on the distribution network is expected from the electrification of transportation and increased electricity use for heating and cooling.

Energy storage is a solution for the problems emerging in the grid

Bajramović explained that new 110 kV substations are necessary, as is the completion of the ongoing transition to the 20 kV voltage level. Attention should also be paid to integrating prosumers, especially the households that both produce electricity, with solar panels on their roofs, and consume it.

He highlighted balancing as well as maintaining voltage conditions and supply quality as the main challenges from the rise in renewable electricity capacity on the grid. Energy storage is a solution for the issues.

Batteries can prevent renewables generation curtailments

Bajramović expects battery energy storage systems to play an increasingly significant role in relieving network congestion.

BESS, in his words, are a flexibility tool for absorbing excess generation locally, and temporarily easing the pressure on the transmission grid. They can prevent curtailments of power generation from variable renewable sources, he added.

Bajramović recalled that calculations have showed batteries of 225 MW / 450 MWh in total would be necessary to connect 1,500 MW of solar power capacity and 1,000 MW of wind power to the transmission network.

An increase in distribution network tariffs would provide funds for investment in strengthening and modernizing the distribution network, in his view.

Batteries are being installed at a rapid rate around the world as well as in the region. Not only private companies, but also state-owned utilities such as Romania’s Hidroelectrica and Montenegro’s Elektroprivreda Crne Gore (EPCG) are investing in such projects.

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September 9, 2025
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Serbia’s EPS plans to build 500 MW of wind farms with strategic partner

State-owned power utility Elektroprivreda Srbije (EPS) and the Government of Serbia plan to develop a 500 MW wind farm project with a strategic partner, according to Aleksandar Latinović, Head of Ancillary Services at EPS. He also noted that a 1,000 MW solar power project is expected to be online by 2029.

The Energy Infrastructure Development Plan and Energy Efficiency Measures for the period through 2028 envisage the construction of wind farms with a capacity of up to 500 MW.

The project could be similar to the 1,000 MW solar power project with 200 MW battery energy storage systems (BESS) that Serbia is implementing with strategic partners Hyundai Engineering and UGT Renewables (UGTR).

During the presentation of EPS’s development projects at the Korea-Serbia Strategic Energy Development Forum, held in Belgrade, Aleksandar Latinović recalled that the recently built Kostolac B3 power plant, as well as the pumped storage hydropower plant Bistrica, will provide energy to balance the system.

Tenders for two solar power plants are expected next year

Increasing the balancing reserve, in his words, is crucial for integrating new renewable energy sources into the power system. He particularly highlighted the Bistrica project, noting that it will have the same energy storage capacity as all currently existing BESSs in Europe. According to Latinović, the plant is expected to be operational by 2031 or 2032.

Latinović also recalled that EPS recently inaugurated Petka, its first solar power plant on a coal tailings dump. Though a small project, it is significant because EPS owns several thousand hectares of similar tailings and ash dumps.

The solar power plants Kolubara A (78 MW) and Morava (42 MW) are in the development phase, with tenders expected to be announced next year. Meanwhile, the Klenovnik project (110 MW) is undergoing a review of its preliminary feasibility study.

The 1 GW solar project is expected to be connected to the grid by 2029

Regarding wind energy, the 66 MW Kostolac wind farm is scheduled to begin trial operations next month.

For other wind farm projects, EPS and the Serbian government plan a 500 MW project with a strategic partner, he noted, stressing that EPS is willing to acquire already developed, construction-ready projects.

Latinović recalled that the preparation of a spatial plan for the 1 GW solar power project is underway. Strategic partners have already begun preparing investment and technical documentation, and a grid connection agreement with transmission system operator Elektromreža Srbije (EMS) has been signed.

A shortage of balancing energy could be an issue

According to the project timeline, this project will be operational and connected to the grid within four years, Latinović noted.

He stressed that integrating new renewable energy sources into the power system could lead to a shortage of balancing reserves. It is also possible, in his words, that there will be an excess of electricity when a significant amount of renewable energy is produced.

For this reason, EPS has initiated a study to analyze the use of hydrogen and heat storage.

The main focus of this study will be optimizing surplus electricity from intermittent renewable energy sources, increasing the system’s balancing reserve, replacing fuel oil in coal power plants with hydrogen-based fuel, and substituting gas and coal in heat production, Latinović explained.

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September 9, 2025
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Europe’s wind installations in H1 2025 insufficient to meet EU’s 2030 targets – WindEurope

Europe installed 6.8 GW of new wind farms in the first six months of the year. According to WindEurope, it isn’t nearly enough to deliver the EU’s 2030 energy security and climate targets.

WindEurope has also reduced the 2025 outlook for wind investments. In its latest wind energy data for Europe, the organization highlighted the increase in turbine orders and investments as positive signals.

Out of 6.8 GW of new wind, 5.3 GW was in the European Union, and 89% was onshore wind. Europe now has a total of 291 GW of wind capacity – 254 GW on land and 37 GW at sea, according to the data.

In the first half of 2024, Europe installed 6.4 GW. To achieve the 2030 targets, the EU needs to install about 30 GW of wind power every year.

Germany is by far the most successful country in Europe. It is set to install 5 GW of onshore wind this year, nearly three times as much as it has been building over the last five years. WindEurope attributed the success to the fact that the country was the first to rigorously implement the EU’s excellent new permitting rules.

Germany permitted a record 15 GW of new onshore wind farms in 2024 and is on track to beat that in 2025, with 8 GW of onshore wind permits granted in the first half of 2025, the report revealed.

While on average German authorities grant permits within 18 months, none of the other 26 EU countries permits new wind farms within the REDIII deadline of 24 months. WindEurope highlighted slow expansion of electricity grids, stagnating efforts to electrify Europe’s economy, and suboptimal auction design as key obstacles for faster wind deployment.

Dickson: Governments must get their act together on wind energy

WindEurope CEO Giles Dickson said that governments must get their act together on wind energy.

“Wind is competitive – it brings down electricity costs for citizens and businesses. Wind is secure – home-grown wind turbines reduce costly and dangerous dependencies on fossil fuel imports. And wind is good for the economy – it creates jobs and tax income. Around 400,000 people in Europe work in wind already, and each new wind turbine contributes €16m to Europe’s GDP. But Governments are still failing to get wind permitted and built fast enough,” Dickson noted.

The organization stressed that Europe will build less new wind capacity in 2025 than it previously expected. At the start of the year, WindEurope estimated new wind installations at 22.5 GW, and now at 19 GW. The forecast for the EU is lowered from 17 GW to 14.5 GW.

It expects the EU to have 344 GW of wind energy capacity by 2030, compared to the 2030 target of 425 GW.

Two bright spots

Two bright spots are wind turbine orders and investments in new wind farms. Europe took EUR 34 billion worth of final investment decisions (FIDs) in new wind farms with a total capacity of 14 GW in the first half of 2025. It represented more than the total FIDs in 2024.

The majority of investments are for offshore wind, with six new projects, three of which in Poland, including the country’s largest-ever private investment, according to WindEurope.

Wind turbine orders have increased 19% and reached 11.3 GW.

According to Dickson, less new wind is bad news for Europe’s wider competitiveness. Industry in Europe is craving cheap electricity to compete with China and the US, he stressed.

“But too many governments remain half-hearted in their expansion of wind. This is not only threatening the wind sector. It’s also jeopardizing jobs and growth more widely – in steel, chemicals, and ICT. Doing business in Europe is so much harder for them if the EU can’t deliver on its energy targets”, Dickson underlined.

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September 8, 2025
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EDF, Westinghouse complete technical feasibility studies for Krško 2 nuclear power plant

Three reactor projects offered by EDF and Westinghouse have been assessed as technically feasible for the site of the future Krško 2 nuclear power plant, according to technical feasibility studies presented by GEN Energija during the announcement of its 2024 results. GEN Group ended last year with a EUR 186 million profit, down 9% from 2023, when it posted a profit of EUR 204.5 million.

GEN Energija, the parent company of GEN Group, noted that the Krško 2 (JEK2) project is going ahead according to the previously confirmed timeline. In October 2024, Slovenia canceled a referendum on building the second nuclear unit.

In January, it was announced that Westinghouse Electric and EDF would conduct technical feasibility studies for the deployment of their reactor models.

In July, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning initiated the preparation of a spatial plan for the second unit of nuclear power plant Krško and invited the public to submit comments.

GEN Energija has now presented the results of the technical feasibility studies. The reactor projects – EDF’s EPR or EPR1200 and Westinghouse’s AP1000 – were found to be technically feasible for the JEK 2 site.

Planinc: Both technologies include cooling by a natural draft cooling tower

According to Vinko Planinc, head of GEN Energija’s New Nuclear Build Division, the studies confirm that the project enables safe and efficient installation within the existing environment, taking into account flood and earthquake protection requirements.

The expected operational lifespan of both proposed reactors is 60 years, but it could be extended to 80 years if conditions are met, he added.

The location will also allow for the appropriate storage of used nuclear fuel, as well as low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste. Both technologies, he said, use natural draft cooling towers – the most environmentally friendly solution, minimizing the impact on the Sava River and creating the smallest carbon footprint.

The estimated investment from the studies matches the amount in GEN Energija’s study presented in 2024, which projected that JEK 2 would cost at least EUR 9.3 billion for 1,000 MW.

The financing method significantly affects the project’s viability

Regarding an analysis of the JEK2 investment by NGO Mladi za Podnebno Pravičnost (Youth for Climate Justice), Jan Lokar, lead engineer at GEN Energija, said the company estimates the minimum electricity price needed for the project’s economic feasibility at EUR 70.2 per MWh, compared to the NGO’s estimate of EUR 107.

The differences arise primarily from varying assumptions about capital costs, he stressed. GEN Energija expects state support in financing, while the NGO estimate assumes private capital investment.

Paravan: 2024 results exceed planned targets

Photo: GEN Energija

GEN Energija CEO Dejan Paravan presented GEN Group’s business results for 2024. The group had revenues of EUR 2.2 billion, a net profit of EUR 186 million, and added value per employee of EUR 276,000, all exceeding the annual financial targets, he added.

“All our production units operated safely and without major interruptions, reflecting years of investment in knowledge, technology, and maintenance. The important role of GEN Group in Slovenia’s energy supply is confirmed by the fact that in 2024, we reliably supplied Slovenian consumers exclusively with low-carbon electricity at affordable and predictable prices,” Paravan noted.

Alongside the JEK2 project studies, the company said, a small modular reactor (SMR) study is underway, aiming to identify possible locations for this type of reactor in Slovenia.

Photo: GEN Energija
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September 5, 2025
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Montenegro’s power utility seeks contractor for two battery storage systems

Montenegro’s state-owned power utility, Elektroprivreda Crne Gore, has launched a tender for the procurement and installation of two battery energy storage systems with a total capacity of 60 MW/240 MWh.

Elektroprivreda Crne Gore (EPCG) is seeking a partner for the design, supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of two battery energy storage systems (BESS), each with a capacity of 30 MW and 120 MWh, with an output voltage of 35 kV.

The estimated value of the procurement is EUR 48 million excluding VAT, according to the public call.

The EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) contract for the batteries is a comprehensive turnkey agreement covering all phases of project development, including design, equipment procurement and delivery, permitting, construction, and commissioning.

The contract also includes training for EPCG personnel

Technical staff training is included to ensure the proper and safe operation of the facilities, as well as to validate their performance in accordance with the contracted terms, which will be mutually confirmed by signing a technical acceptance report.

The EPC covers all technical, engineering, logistical, and construction details, workplace health and safety, environmental protection, and responsibilities for performance guarantees and technical maintenance of the facility, according to the public call.

According to previous announcements, EPCG intends to utilize existing infrastructure for connection to the transmission grid. Potential locations include the 60 MWh hydropower plant Perućica, EPCG’s steel mill Željezara Nikšić with two 60 MWh units, and the 60 MWh Pljevlja thermal power plant.

The first two battery systems will be installed at the Željezara site.

EPCG held talks with several investors

In March, the company announced it had held discussions with several companies and financiers from the region, Europe, and beyond.

EPCG initially announced its intention to install batteries in early September last year. At that time, the EPCG Board of Directors adopted a project task proposal for adding BESS capacities.

According to the project task, EPCG aims to optimize the utilization of all renewable energy sources, alongside numerous new renewable energy projects.

The company plans to secure the flexibility of the power system with energy storage systems based on lithium-ion batteries, according to EPCG.

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September 5, 2025
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Global solar installations soar 64% in the first half of 2025

The world’s total capacity of solar power plants has increased by 380 MW in the first half of 2025. It is a 64% increase compared to the same period last year, according to Ember.

In the first six months of 2024 the world added 232 GW. It took until September that year for new solar capacity to surpass 350 GW – a result for the entire 2023. This year the milestone of 350 GW was reached in June, according to the energy think tank Ember.

The total global cumulative installed capacity reached 2.2 TW by the end of 2024.

The rapid expansion of solar capacity in recent years has made it the fastest growing source of new electricity generation. In 2024, global solar output rose by 28% (+469 TWh) compared to 2023, more than any other source, Ember noted.

China continues to lead the world in solar growth. Global Energy Monitor said in July that three quarters of global solar, wind capacity under construction is in China.

From January until the end of June, the country’s photovoltaic installations were more than 100% higher year-over-year.”

China accounted for 67% of the global new installations – up from 54% in the first half of 2024, according to the think tank.

The result was partly driven by the developers’ intention to finish projects before new rules on wind and solar compensation came into effect in June this year.

This situation could lead to lower installation in the rest of the year, however Ember stressed new clean power procurement requirements for industry and higher full-year deployment expectations from China’s solar PV association (CPIA) as evidence that a new record volume of solar power plants would be recorded in 2025.

India follows China

All other countries together installed an estimated 124 GW in the first half of 2025 – 15% higher than the first half of 2024.

India won second place with 24 GW, a 49% increase over the already strong 16 GW added in deployment in H1-2024. The United States ranked third with 21 GW, up 4% year-on-year, despite recent moves by the US government to restrict clean power deployment.

The remaining countries added 65 GW in H1-2025, 22% more than in H1-2024. Ember pointed out data for Africa in which imports from China rose 60% in the last 12 months. But, the effects on the ground are still not unknown.

2025 is on track to become another historic year for solar power

Solar became the EU’s largest source of electricity for the first time in June 2025. However, the EU is set to install less new solar capacity in 2025 than it did last year – the first annual drop in a decade.

Ember estimated that 2025 is on track to become another historic year for solar power.

“These latest numbers on solar deployment in 2025 defy gravity, with annual solar installations continuing their sharp rise. In a world of volatile energy markets, solar offers domestically produced power that can be rolled out at record speed to meet growing demand, independent of global fossil fuel supply chains,” Senior Energy Analyst of Ember Nicolas Fulghum noted.

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September 4, 2025
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Serbia, South Korea’s KHNP to cooperate on nuclear energy, hydrogen

Serbia and South Korean company Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power have signed two memorandums of understanding on cooperation in the fields of nuclear energy and hydrogen.

The memorandums were signed by Sonja Vlahović, State Secretary at the Ministry of Mining and Energy, and Joo-ho Whang, President and CEO of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP), a subsidiary of Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO).

Notably, South Korean company Hyundai Engineering is part of Serbia’s largest renewable energy project—the deployment of 1,000 MW of solar power plants with battery storage.

The memorandums were signed during the Korea-Serbia Strategic Energy Development Forum, held in Belgrade and organized by the Ministry of Mining and Energy and the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA).

So far, Serbia has established contacts or started cooperation on nuclear energy with China, France, Russia, Slovenia, and the United States.

Vlahović: We’ll consider pilot hydrogen projects

The main goal of the nuclear energy memorandum is to help the ministry develop and train personnel in Serbia in the field of nuclear technologies, as well as to facilitate the exchange of technical information and expertise.

Photo: Balkan Green Energy News

The second memorandum, on hydrogen cooperation, will enable joint work to assess the potential for developing pilot green hydrogen projects in Serbia. It envisages technical exchanges and support for human resource development, as well as sharing know-how in the full hydrogen cycle and supply chain management.

State Secretary in the Ministry of Mining and Energy Sonja Vlahović noted that Serbia is considering nuclear energy as one of the potential energy sources that could help it achieve energy security while transitioning to clean energy sources.

Joo-ho Whang: Cooperation will enable sustainable growth for Serbia and the company

“For us, it is very important to develop cooperation with countries and companies that are global leaders in nuclear technologies, to exchange knowledge and experience, and to invest in the development of our experts. We are also very interested in the opportunities offered by hydrogen technologies and, together with partners from South Korea, we will explore potential pilot projects,” she said.

According to KHNP President and CEO Joo-ho Whang, the cooperation will enable sustainable growth for both Serbia and the company.

“We particularly expect that demonstration projects in the field of hydrogen will play a key role in developing the hydrogen industry in Serbia. Additionally, the agreement will open new opportunities for cooperation in the clean energy sector,” he added.

KHNP to assist with workforce training

The nuclear energy memorandum calls for KHNP to support the development of training programs for personnel in the ministry and other relevant government institutions, faculties, and companies. The support is expected to cover various aspects of nuclear technologies, safety, and the regulatory framework.

It also includes establishing a mechanism for regular exchange of technical information, research results, and best practices in nuclear energy, the ministry said.

Dimović: Serbia could have a nuclear power plant by 2040

Photo: Ministry of Mining and Energy/Nenad Kostić

The signing was followed by presentations delivered by KHNP, the ministry, state power utility Elektroprivreda Srbije (EPS), the Vinča Institute for Nuclear Sciences, and KOTRA.

Park So-hyun, Senior Manager of Overseas SMR Project Section, presented nuclear power plant projects that the company is developing in South Korea and other parts of the world.

Hydrogen projects and cooperation with Serbia were the theme of a presentation by Kim Su-Jy, Senior Manager of Global KHNP Hydrogen & Energy Business Sector.

EPS is conducting a hydrogen study

Assistant Minister of Mining and Energy Radoš Popadić outlined the main goals and planned activities of Serbia’s Energy Development Strategy through 2040. Aleksandar Latinović, Head of Ancillary Services at EPS, presented the company’s development projects, recalling that EPS is currently conducting a study on possibilities for hydrogen utilization.

The Vinča Institute highlighted its rich history. CEO Slavko Dimović announced a public discussion aimed at explaining nuclear energy to all of Serbia, not just Belgrade. His optimistic yet realistic plan is for Serbia to have a nuclear power plant by 2040.

Milan Rajić, Senior Specialist at KOTRA, highlighted the agency’s results and invited Serbian entrepreneurs to collaborate with Korean companies.

The signing ceremony was also attended by the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, Kim Hyung Tae, Serbia’s Minister of Science, Technological Development, and Innovation, Bela Balint, and the Director General for KOTRA Europe Headquarters, Kim Hyeon-cheol.

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September 4, 2025
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Croatia identifies another city with geothermal potential for district heating

The testing of an exploratory well near the Croatian city of Osijek has confirmed the area’s geothermal potential, according to the Croatian Hydrocarbon Agency.

This marks the second successful completion of exploratory activities within a broader project aimed at developing geothermal potential for district heating in Croatia. At the end of June, good news came from an exploration site in Velika Gorica.

The exploratory activities in Osijek have cost an estimated EUR 8 million, with the funding secured from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP).

Testing and measurements of the Osijek GT-1 (OsGT-1) well revealed a reservoir temperature exceeding 100 degrees Celsius, with an estimated thermal capacity of nearly 5 MW.

Temperatures are lower than in Velika Gorica

These results confirm that Osijek possesses significant geothermal resources with potential applications in district heating, agriculture, and the area’s economic development, according to the Croatian Hydrocarbon Agency.

“Geothermal energy is one of the most stable renewable energy sources, and our research confirmed the substantial potential of reservoirs in the Pannonian Basin and a strategic opportunity for achieving long-term supply security and decarbonization of the energy system,” stressed Marijan Krpan, president of the agency’s management board.

Exploratory activities continue in other locations

Due to local geological specifics and the shallower depth of the reservoir, temperatures in Osijek are lower than those in Velika Gorica. The agency noted that although the geological conditions and reservoir depths differ between Velika Gorica and Osijek, geothermal energy is flexible enough to be adapted to local needs and used efficiently and sustainably.

According to Osijek’s mayor, Ivan Radić, geothermal energy is becoming a locally available and sustainable heating source not only for Osijek residents but also for businesses.

Following Osijek and Velika Gorica, exploratory activities will continue in Vinkovci, and later in Zaprešić. After completing all exploratory activities, additional wells are planned at sites with confirmed geothermal potential.

In addition to the state-funded activities, private companies such as ENNA Geo are also engaged in geothermal research.

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August 27, 2025
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Serbia’s power utility to take no loans in 2025, fund coal projects on its own

For the first time, Elektroprivreda Srbije (EPS) will not take out loans this year, but will finance all investments from its own resources, according to General Manager Dušan Živković. However, it has affected the financial performance of Serbia’s state-owned power utility, with profit in the first half of 2025 coming in lower than in the same period last year.

One of the major investments underway is in coal mining, including the construction of several systems needed to enable the opening of the Radljevo open pit mine in the Kolubara mining basin. However, since financial institutions are unwilling to finance fossil fuels, EPS must rely entirely on its own funds, Živković told national broadcaster RTS.

EPS is financing the coal mine on its own, as financial institutions are unwilling to invest in fossil fuels

To ensure sufficient coal supplies, EPS has contracted imports from Indonesia, which Živković explained as a strategy to diversify sources. He described it as the best way to ensure the security of supply.

He said that the installation of machinery at Radljevo is underway and that EPS expects the mine to start producing overburden and coal early next year.

EPS posted a RSD 27.4 billion (EUR 233.8 million) profit in the first half of 2025, compared to RSD 32.8 billion (EUR 280.3 million) in the same period last year.

Kostolac wind farm set to begin operation

Speaking about other key projects, Živković revealed that the commissioning of the 66 MW Kostolac wind power plant is in the final phase and expressed hope that electricity production would begin within a month. He also recalled that the 10 MW Petka solar power plant, built at the tailings dump in the Kostolac coal complex, was put into trial operation about a month ago.

He also said pumped storage hydropower plant Bistrica and the planned 1 GW of solar facilities could come online in the medium term.

Commenting on the announced 7% electricity price increase in October, Živković stressed the process has been initiated and that he expects it to be completed within one to one-and-a-half months.

Electricity consumption during the summer is lower than last year

On the surge in electricity consumption during the summer months, he said the situation this year has been “calmer” than in 2024, with consumption at around 90 GWh, compared to 114 GWh in 2024. It means total demand can be covered from EPS’s own capacities, according to him.

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