What challenges do investors in renewable energy projects face most in Serbia, and what challenges arise across the region? How did Bulgaria move from almost negligible battery storage capacity to becoming one of Europe’s leading markets for the development of battery systems? These were among the topics discussed by participants in the panel dedicated to green infrastructure, held at the RES SERBIA 2026 conference in Vrdnik.

Panelists in the discussion “Building Green Infrastructure: From Plans to a Stable Grid” emphasized that green megawatts are needed more than ever and that the process of energy transition must accelerate.

Participants included Predrag Ćulibrk, Director of Elnos Serbia; Srdan Srdanović, Head of the Smart Infrastructure at Siemens Serbia; Branimir Mijailović, Executive Board Member of W.D. Concord West; Nikola Oklobdžija, Director for Eastern Europe at Fortis Energy; and Danijela Isailović, Manager of the Renewable Energy Sources of Serbia. The panel was moderated by Milan Dakić, Partner at BDK Advokati.

Solar and Wind Power Plants Are Needed More Than Ever

Danijela Isailović, Manager of the Association Renewable Energy Sources of Serbia, emphasized that investors face numerous challenges across all segments – from planning foundations to the moratorium on new grid connections until 2029.

– The planning framework opens the greatest possibility for abuse and project blockage, since the law does not stipulate a deadline within which local governments must respond to an initiative to adopt a plan, nor for its adoption itself. This is the first major problem, which could be resolved by introducing an electronic procedure, allowing the public to transparently see which players are being favored and which investors are being held back – Isailović underlined.

She explained that it often happens that projects receive a planning basis for a solar or wind power plant, but not for the grid connection, which puts them in a situation where their connection study expires and a bank guarantee may be activated.

– There are also problems and delays in issuing location conditions and construction permits, with investors waiting far longer than the Law on Planning and Construction prescribes. This has been particularly evident in the provincial administration over the past two years, which until then had been an example of professional and efficient work. Then we faced a moratorium on new grid connections until 2029. No new green megawatts. We had the hottest summer in history, and imagine the next one, even hotter. And next summer Serbia will host an important event – EXPO. Will we have enough electricity? What will the water level of the Danube be? Instead of having more new solar and wind power plants connected to the grid, processes are slowing down, leaving us dependent on electricity imports and coal imports – said the Manager of RES Serbia.

Speaking about ways to accelerate the energy transition, she noted that regulations across all countries in the region are sound, but that respect for the law and consistency in its application are essential. She reminded that the National Energy and Climate Plan foresees 3.5 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, while the current level stands at 1.3 GW.

– In Montenegro the situation is somewhat better – they are proactive as they move rapidly toward EU accession and are finding solutions for grid connections for certain projects. In North Macedonia, there is also selectivity, which has led some companies to withdraw from investments. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, we all know the situation. And even in EU countries there are problems – mostly in the areas of environmental protection, the spread of disinformation, and the lack of grid connection capacity – Isailović concluded.

The Development Phase of Projects Lasts Too Long

Predrag Ćulibrk, Director of Elnos Serbia, emphasized that the energy sector is a pillar of a country’s system. He noted that while technologies are not lacking, the challenges faced by project contractors are often underestimated.

According to him, the development phase of projects takes too long and remains uncertain, while stable trends and continuity of work are essential to preserve local contractors.

– We appeal for all processes to be accelerated. The establishment of a one‑stop shop model, an agency within the administrative framework that would collect requests and communicate both with local communities and the ministry, would help ensure that certain issues are not left unresolved for two years. This is where the greatest progress can be made to speed up the transition, which has slowed down. It is easy to implement; all that is needed is a little will – Ćulibrk emphasized.

Bulgaria as a Shining Example in Energy Storage

Srdan Srdanović, Head of the Smart Infrastructure Division at Siemens Serbia, stressed that Serbia’s transmission grid is currently overloaded, and that transmission networks are the bottleneck for further system development.

– Battery systems are the fastest way to tame the variability of wind and sun. We are technological leaders, but these technologies need to be further developed and adapted to our market, because our grid is different – he added.

He mentioned Bulgaria as a shining example in energy storage, ranking as the third country in Europe by storage capacity, behind Germany and Italy.

– And in 2023 their battery storage capacities were almost negligible. This summer they managed fantastically, despite poor hydrology. The state recognized the opportunity that needed to be seized – Srdanović noted.

Investment Funds as a Way to Accelerate the Energy Transition

Branimir Mijailović, Executive Board Member of W.D. Concord West, pointed out that until just a few years ago it was unimaginable for Serbian companies to have the opportunity to act as EPC contractors. He added that they proved it was possible with the example of the Pupin wind farm, followed by Čibuk 2.

As one of the ways to accelerate Serbia’s energy transition, he pointed to the possibility of encouraging the development of investment funds into which entrepreneurs with surplus capital could invest.

– They generate profits here, pay corporate tax, so Serbia also benefits from that and perhaps foreign investors and banks would be spurred as well. There is no reason why Serbia should not establish such an investment fund that would own a wind farm or invest elsewhere – Mijailović emphasized.

The Key Lies in Public‑Private Partnerships

Nikola Oklobdžija, Director for Eastern Europe at Fortis Energy, underlined the crucial role of public‑private partnerships in fostering sustainable development.

– No system is perfect, and every country has its own specificities. If we acknowledge that challenges exist, the first step is to talk about them openly, and I am glad that this year we emphasized the challenges we are facing. In previous years, we seemed to wrap them up, hoping for a better outcome – Oklobdžija noted. He pointed to the issue of radars, which have slowed down and halted numerous projects.

The RES SERBIA 2026 Conference, held over two days in Vrdnik, brought together decision‑makers, representatives of investors, and members of the financial, legal, and energy sectors from Serbia and 30 countries worldwide. The conference was organized for the sixth consecutive year by the Association Renewable Energy Sources of Serbia.