Elektroprivreda Srbije (EPS) has initiated a tender to conduct an analysis of the availability of biomass for combustion in its power plants. According to the terms of reference, the selected contractor will be tasked with preparing a comprehensive study that evaluates the potential of biomass in Serbia and its applicability to EPS’s energy production needs.
Serbia’s biomass resource is estimated at 3.405 million tons of oil equivalent, making up 61% of the country’s total renewable energy potential. The study will focus on two primary sources of biomass: wood mass, primarily found in central Serbia, which amounts to 1.53 million tons of oil equivalent, and agricultural biomass from farming, livestock, fruit-growing, and primary fruit processing, with a potential of 1.67 million tons of oil equivalent located in Vojvodina. However, the utilization of agricultural biomass remains underdeveloped, with only a 2% utilization rate.
The analysis will explore options for increasing biomass use in electricity and thermal energy production. It will cover direct biomass combustion and the potential for biogas/biomethane production. For biogas, the study will investigate the feasibility of building new biogas plants and integrating biogas into cogeneration cycles (combined electricity and thermal energy production). It will also consider the technical and legal aspects of injecting biomethane into the gas pipeline network.
Additionally, the study will include a cost estimate for the centralized consumption of biogas at EPS’s TETO NS and TETO ZR locations, and the development of a biogas pipeline network to these sites. The tender also requests an assessment of the available biomass for direct combustion at TPP Kolubara A and TE Morava, along with an evaluation of necessary upgrades to existing coal-fired boilers to accommodate biomass combustion, including investment costs for the required modifications.
This initiative is part of EPS’s broader efforts to support the country’s energy transition, with the aim of utilizing renewable energy sources more effectively. The tender, which was officially opened on January 13, also follows EPS’s previous announcement in October regarding a tender for the development of a conceptual solution for the environmental impact assessment of decommissioning the Kolubara and Morava thermal power plants.
