Regional power utilities are planning a more intensive development of renewable energy sources, with an increasing focus on battery storage to ensure system stability, it was announced at the 41st International Conference “Energy 2026,” held from April 15 to 18 on Zlatibor, organized by the Association of Energy Experts and EPS.

At the panel “Towards a Green Region – New Renewable Projects and Decarbonization Opportunities,” moderated by Danijela Isailović, Manager of the Association Renewable Energy Sources of Serbia, it was assessed that the region needs new renewable capacities, as well as investments in pumped-storage hydropower plants and battery storage.

The discussion, featuring Milutin Đukanović, Chairman of the Board of Directors of EPCG, Luka Petrović, General Manager of Elektroprivreda Republike Srpske, Sanel Buljubašić, General Manager of Elektroprivreda BiH, and Aleksandar Jakovljević, Executive Manager for Investments and Development at EPS AD, drew significant interest from the professional public.

Serbia: 24 Applications for 4.5 GW of Battery Storage

Isailović noted that in Serbia, the issuance of new connection permits for solar and wind power plants has been suspended, while 31 projects with a total approved capacity of nearly 4 GW are currently in the connection process.

The suspension, however, does not apply to battery energy storage systems, for which 24 applications have been submitted with a total capacity of about 4.5 GW, she added.

Bistrica as EPS’s Priority

EPS’s Executive Manager for Investments and Development, Aleksandar Jakovljević, reminded that the Kostolac wind park and Petka solar plant are the company’s first renewable energy capacities.

He highlighted the construction of the Bistrica pumped-storage hydropower plant as a priority, for which location permits have been obtained, with the first tender for preparatory works expected soon.

– This project will benefit not only EPS but the entire system, as it will enable the integration of an additional 1,500 MW of renewable energy – Jakovljević said, adding that the first unit is expected to be online in 2032. Still, he emphasized that utilities must ensure supply security, which EPS currently bases on coal production.

Montenegro Aims to Become a Regional Energy Hub

Milutin Đukanović, Chairman of EPCG’s Board of Directors, announced that the first kilowatts from the Gvozd wind park (55 MW) will be on the grid as early as April 21.

He stated that EPCG is independently developing projects with a total capacity of over 600 MW by the end of 2027, while more than 2 GW of new capacities are planned through a strategic partnership with Masdar.

– Our goal is for Montenegro to become an energy hub in the region. Whoever lacks clear plans for the green transition has already lost the race – Đukanović stressed.

Speaking about pumped-storage hydropower plants, he noted that their construction requires up to eight years, while turnkey battery systems can be built in 6 to 9 months.

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Untapped Hydropower Potential

Sanel Buljubašić, General Manager of Elektroprivreda BiH, said that utilities should lead the green transition, but not finance it.

– Nature has given us resources – wind, sun, and we also have hydropower, which we have not used wisely or sufficiently. We are in an advanced stage for two wind farms, and we also have solar plants with a capacity of 250 to 300 MW – he stated, adding that caution is needed due to the large number of new project requests that exceed grid integration capacity.

He emphasized that regional stability requires energy connectivity, especially among neighboring countries that share common resources.

Republika Srpska: More Joint Projects Needed

Luka Petrović, General Manager of Elektroprivreda Republike Srpske, warned that energy from thermal power plants will become increasingly expensive in the future, as no one will be able to sell it.

He stressed that the region is underutilizing cooperation potential, from technical exchanges and joint planning of thermal power plant overhauls to electricity trading.

As a concrete example, he cited the possibility of jointly developing hydropower plants on the middle course of the Drina River between Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Continuation of Dialogue at RES SERBIA 2026 Conference

Isailović invited participants to continue the discussion on renewable energy development at the traditional annual conference RES SERBIA 2026, to be held on September 15 & 16 in Vrdnik.