The conclusion of the second day of the RES SERBIA 2026 conference, which ended yesterday in Vrdnik, was that wind and solar energy saved Serbia’s power system this summer. In what was described as perhaps the most challenging year for the energy sector since the conference was first held, participants emphasized that Serbia’s renewable energy market is not saturated and stressed the importance of holding a third auction for market premiums for renewable energy sources.
On the second day, discussions focused on green energy financing, with the message that projects totaling 1.2 GW have the potential to reach financial close. The program also addressed challenges in the electricity distribution system and the future of electromobility.
Energy Investments are Profitable
Miloš Mladenović, General Director of SEEPEX, noted that the enthusiasm of solar power plant owners has waned, but emphasized that in the long run, energy is a commodity that will always be in demand.
– I would advise that enthusiasm be restored. In August, solar and wind kept us going. Without them, we would have faced much greater problems. Investments in energy – just like in food and water will not only be profitable, but should also become socially acceptable – Mladenović stated.
Mladenović added that work is underway to amend regulations in order to make co‑location projects combining wind, solar, and energy storage both feasible and bankable.
Challenges for Electricity Distribution
Dalibor Nikolić, Director of the Technical System at Elektrodistribucija Srbije, stated that over the past year the distribution system recorded a 20% increase both in the number and in the capacity of power plants. He highlighted that the grid currently hosts 498 power plants with a total installed capacity of 540 MW, as well as 8,500 prosumers with 160 MW of installed capacity.
Speaking about challenges for the distribution system, he pointed to the limitation of injecting power from the distribution grid into the transmission system, capped at 16 MW.
Nikolić emphasized: – In Serbia, this criterion has appeared which, as far as I know, is not present anywhere else in Europe, and it represents a challenge for us. We expect that in certain areas, such as Banat and southern Serbia, these figures will exceed 30 MW.
Importance of Holding the Third Auctions
Svetlana Cerović, Head of the Financing and Advisory Department at UniCredit Bank, stressed that it is crucial to hold the third auctions for market premiums for renewable energy sources. Until that happens, she expressed hope for corporate PPA agreements.
– According to our analysis, projects with a total capacity of 1.2 GW have the potential to reach financial close, meaning the signing of financing agreements. Most already have long‑term power purchase arrangements in place, and we hope that at least one of these transactions will be closed this year – Cerović underlined.
She added that project financing will be dominant in the coming period for renewable energy projects, while corporate green bonds will provide support within a broader palette of financing sources.
More Companies Turning to Electric Delivery Vehicles
Lazar Radanov‑Radičev, Director of New Business Development at Delta Auto Group, spoke about the trend of more companies with delivery needs turning to light electric commercial vehicles.
– This fleet can efficiently switch to electricity, with fantastic savings, especially now that fuel prices have risen – Radanov‑Radičev said, adding that charging is not an issue since these vehicles typically cover around 100–110 km per day.
He emphasized that changes in legislation are necessary to keep pace with new technologies, and that in addition to subsidies, non‑financial incentives and rewards for various forms of energy efficiency would also be beneficial.
– It is also necessary to raise public awareness that energy can be used more efficiently, that driving can be cheaper, and that energy can be better managed at home – he underlined.
Held for the sixth time and organized by the Associaton Renewable Energy Sources of Serbia, the RES SERBIA conference in Vrdnik gathered more than 600 participants from Serbia and 30 countries. Over two days, discussions covered investments, regulation, energy storage, and market changes, with a focus on issues crucial for the further development of renewable energy and the energy sector in Serbia and the wider region.
