Serbia’s Minister of Mining and Energy, Dubravka Đedović Handanović, participated in the Ministerial Council of the Energy Community meeting in Vienna, where she reaffirmed Serbia’s commitment to continuing its reforms and integrating its electricity market with the European Union. She emphasized that Serbia is working on improving energy security, particularly through investments in renewable energy sources and strengthening its transmission network.
Đedović Handanović highlighted that Serbia is a leader in the fields of electricity and renewable energy in the region, noting the country’s advanced preparedness for market integration with the EU. “We have successfully aligned our legislation with the European Union’s reform regulations, paving the way for the integration of Serbia’s electricity market with that of the EU in the near future,” she said.
She also pointed out that this week, the first regional electricity exchange in the region started operating, involving Serbia, Slovenia and Hungary. The exchange was established to enhance the efficiency of electricity trading between the three countries, increasing electricity availability and contributing to more favorable prices.
The Ministerial Council discussed the preparation of contracting parties for the winter season, addressing concerns about electricity market conditions amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, especially due to the conflict in Ukraine. Đedović Handanović acknowledged that these geopolitical tensions could put pressure on gas and electricity prices. “We are closely monitoring the situation to safeguard against potential disruptions. Tomorrow, we will take over the new thermal block in Kostolac, which will be the first new production capacity for EPS in nearly 35 years, adding another layer of security,” she added.
Serbia’s energy strategy includes further development of its production capacities and transmission network, which are essential for enhancing energy security. The country continues to lead in the region in renewable energy, particularly through progress in issuing guarantees of origin for renewable energy sources. Serbia is also preparing one of the largest renewable energy projects in Europe—a solar power plant with a capacity of 1 gigawatt and 200 megawatts of battery storage.
“We are committed to strengthening our transmission capacities, as proven this summer when our network performed well while others in the region experienced disruptions,” she noted.
The Energy Community also recognized significant regional projects, including Serbia’s Trans-Balkan Corridor, which will further enhance energy security and electricity exchange with neighboring countries such as Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Regarding carbon dioxide emissions taxation, Đedović Handanović stated that Serbia will continue its analyses ahead of the implementation of the Cross-Border Carbon Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). “We must be prepared and find the best solution to minimize costs for our industry, ensuring it remains competitive in the EU market,” she said.
She emphasized that the region needs to prepare for the transition to renewable energy sources with lower emissions. Serbia is already making strides, including building its first wind farm in Kostolac and holding ongoing renewable energy auctions. “Such investments and projects will allow our economy to secure clean energy, enabling us to better handle emissions taxes in the future,” concluded the minister.
