Today, at an informal ministerial meeting of the Energy Community in Banja Luka, Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Đedović Handanović underscored Serbia’s commitment to aligning with EU regulations. She announced that regulatory adjustments under amendments to the Energy Law will integrate Serbia into the EU’s single electricity market by year’s end. “Joining the single European electricity market is crucial, and we are diligently pursuing this goal while safeguarding our national interests,” stated Đedović Handanović.
Highlighting Serbia’s unique position in the region with a fully operational intraday and day-ahead electricity market, along with participation in the regional stock exchange alongside Hungary and Slovenia, she emphasized the country’s progress in energy market integration.
Regarding carbon pricing, Đedović Handanović mentioned ongoing national assessments of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and efforts to determine viable carbon taxation options locally. “Carbon taxation at a fixed rate provides economic predictability during adjustment periods. A regional carbon trading system akin to the EU’s Emissions Trading System (ETS) by 2030 isn’t feasible for Serbia due to financial and implementation complexities. Instead, we plan to join the EU ETS system post-2030, bolstered by EU financial and technical support,” she explained.
Đedović Handanović acknowledged Serbia’s nascent journey towards a just energy transition, stressing the need for sustainable funding access, including through a potential Western Balkans regional fund supported by the EU.
On energy security, she affirmed that preparations for the heating season are progressing as planned, with ongoing investments in modernizing production capacities, transmission networks, and diversified gas supplies since last year. Reflecting on recent regional electricity supply disruptions, she emphasized Serbia’s proactive safety measures and readiness to respond swiftly to any future supply risks.
“Investments in production facilities, maintenance of networks, and strategic reserves of coal and gas are proceeding as scheduled, ensuring robust security measures for the upcoming heating season,” concluded Đedović Handanović.
