We are saying goodbye to the year with the information that the Pupin wind farm has been completed and put into trial operation, but the members of RES Serbia still have many reasons to be proud of the results achieved during 2024. The construction of the Čibuk 2 wind farm, which should be operational in 2026, has begun, some are celebrating serious anniversaries, others are preparing for the next round of auctions for market premiums for renewable energy sources, and they all have one thing in common – tireless work on Serbia’s energy transition and a vision of a sustainable energy future.
In the following lines, we bring an overview of the activities of RES members Serbia in the year that is coming to an end.
Enlight Completed Pupin Wind Farm
In 2024, Enlight Renewable Energy completed the construction and commissioned the Pupin wind farm, with a total capacity of 94.4 MW.
The project, valued at approximately $141 million, was one of the winners of auctions held last year and is expected to be fully operational by the first quarter of 2025, six months ahead of schedule.
When it reaches full capacity, the Pupin wind farm will be able to provide green energy to around 40,000 households in Serbia, which is a significant step towards a sustainable energy future and an accelerated transition to renewable energy sources.
The Pupin project is implemented in cooperation with partners New Energy Solutions, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Erste Group Bank AG.
Siemens doo Beograd – Major Regional Projects
Siemens doo Beograd e is well known in the regional market as an experienced and reliable partner in the field of electrical power systems, especially substation automation and protection applications.
One of the first regional projects to be commissioned is for the renewable power plant developer and operator ENCRO. The scope of supply includes a solar photovoltaic plant controller and substation automation system for a large-scale 55 MW solar power plant in Pometeno Brdo, which will be one of the largest of its kind and is located in County Split-Dalmatia, Croatia.
In parallel with PV Pometeno Brdo, Siemens team is engaged in several medium to large solar power plant management projects in Serbia and neighboring countries, such as the 30 MW Erseka 1 solar power plant in Albania.
WIND ENERGY BALKAN GROUP BEOGRAD, Masdar Taaleri Generation – Commencement of Works on Čibuk 2 Wind Farm
Masdar Taaleri Generation is proud to announce that construction of the Čibuk 2 Wind Farm began in November 2024. As a continuation of the successful Čibuk 1 project, the largest wind farm in Serbia, Čibuk 2 will further contribute to the energy transition in the country. With an installed capacity of 155 MW and 22 Nordex state-of-art wind turbines, the wind farm will provide enough clean energy to supply approximately 62,000 households annually.
The Čibuk 2 Wind Farm is expected to be operational in 2026, when it will become one of the key projects in the development of a sustainable energy future for the country.
As part of the preparations for the project, a Social Investment Program was implemented, financing 23 smaller initiatives in the local communities of Bavanište, Mramorak, and Dolovo. The projects focused on improving local infrastructure, education, and social support, with special attention given to initiatives supporting children and sports.
Elektrozapad d.o.o. Beograd – RES integration is crucial for energy development
In the past year, Elektrozapad’s operations have been marked by the successful completion of projects that contributed to the advancement of renewable energy integration.
Engagement in the project “VP Pupin”, with an installed capacity of 94.4 MW, included the procurement of equipment, construction of a medium-voltage network, construction of a substation of the VP Pupin power plant as well as a complete connection of the wind farm to the 220 kV power grid in order to increase the capacity of renewable energy sources and improve the stability of the grid. Cable installation was carried out for a total of 16 WTG, distributed across 5 circuits, and connected to the substation.
Elektrozapad’s teams simultaneously worked on expanding and installing additional equipment at “PRP Kovačica”, he installation of new equipment for substation “VP Pupin” as well as the laying of the cable network to the mentioned wind turbines in order to enable the efficient transmission of renewable energy.
The installation between the wind farm and the substation, in addition to medium-voltage cables, also included the laying of optical cables for efficient data transmission, enabling remote system management and monitoring.
Siemens Energy doo Beograd – Decarbonization in the Netherlands
Siemens Energy d.o.o. Belgrade is a regional leader in providing solutions for power generation and transmission, as well as decarbonization projects in the process industry, with a growing share of energy produced from renewable sources. Since 2022, the Center of Competence for Industrial Solutions has been part of Siemens Energy d.o.o. Belgrade. It is the first such center of excellence in the energy sector, employing over 100 experts from various engineering disciplines and executing complex projects for industrial markets in Europe, the Middle East, and other regions worldwide.
In 2024, the team from the Center of Competence began implementing a decarbonization project in the Netherlands, where steam turbines in the largest chemical complex are being replaced with electric motors.
– Thanks to the electric motors and associated auxiliary systems supplied by Siemens Energy, CO2 emissions in the city of Moerdijk have been reduced by 10% annually, or 230 kilotons, which is comparable to the annual emissions of 50,000 cars on Dutch roads. – they say in the company.
Eko Step Pellet d.o.o. Petrovac na Mlavi – A game to support the responsible use of energy
The first Serbian factory of ecological pellets produced from renewable energy sources “Eko Step Pellet” is an excellent example of the use of biomass as a renewable energy source and the production of ecological pellets, with the application of the highest standards of environmental protection.
Pellets are produced from beech wood, without the addition of other types of admixtures, which ranks it among high-calorie and high-quality ecological energy sources. The company stands out for its commitment to nature protection, as it has a long-term contract with JP Srbijašume, which means that beech is procured from planned and strictly controlled sources, with the constant renewal of forest capacity through afforestation.
Eko Step Pellet is also proud of its employees, among whom are five colleagues who actively contribute to gender equality with their work. The quality of their pellets is confirmed by the Čuvakruća trademark, which is a sure guarantee of quality for customers. In addition, the company built a solar power plant with a capacity of 1 MW on the roofs of its business premises, thus becoming a “buyer-producer” of electricity, which further proves its commitment to sustainable development and energy efficiency.
In 2024, Eko Step Pellet is organizing a prize game for its customers called “Eko Step Pellet heats, does not pollute and rewards”. Through this campaign, environmental awards will be given at the end of the year to reward customers who support the company’s sustainability and environmental initiatives. This raffle aims to encourage the wider community to use energy responsibly and preserve the environment.
PLC Interenergo d.o.o. Beograd – Continued development of energy-efficient projects in South-East Europe
As an international energy company, active in seven countries of Southeast Europe, Interenergo covers various areas of energy: from investments in renewable energy sources (RES), through trade and power purchase agreements, to energy services (ESCO).
The company has been present in the regional market for many years, and in Serbia since 2010 it has been successfully managing several hydropower plant projects.
In cooperation with Serbian municipalities, Interenergo has successfully implemented eight public lighting system renovation projects in recent years. By replacing a large number of obsolete lamps, significant energy and economic savings have been provided for municipalities such as Osečina, Bač, Čoka, Odžaci, Kula, Bačka Topola, Užice and Valjevo.
These projects will also reduce CO2 emissions by more than 15,000 tons annually, delivering significant ecological benefits for the municipalities and their regions. Improved public lighting systems, in addition to annual savings, will bring great long-term results to the residents of these municipalities. A total of 42,797 lights replaced will also contribute to significant energy savings of almost 232 GWh over the contract period.
MT-KOMEX DOO Beograd – Panel by Panel to the Solar Future
The year that was coming to an end was like a mosaic for MT-KOMEX – solving challenges, successful projects and achieved collaborations were like parts that completed the picture that the company is building. By carefully listening to the world around us, they followed trends and adapted to market requirements, strengthening our position as a leader in the energy transition of Serbia and the region, surpassing our previous results.
Among the numerous successful projects that marked the year soon to be behind us, two stood out in particular – the solar power plants B2 Nova Sun (9.9 MW) in Nova Crnja and B2 Sunspot (7 MW) in Kikinda. These power plants were among the winners of the first auctions, and contracts for the purchase of electricity and the assumption of balance responsibility were signed for them with the Elektroprivreda Srbije.
Dedication, knowledge and perseverance have resulted in MT-KOMEX building more than 90 MW of ground and more than 70 MW of rooftop capacity, installing more than 350,000 solar panels and implementing over 250 solar power plants during three decades of operation. The team, which consists of more than 30 full-time engineers and 80 installers, is ready to provide each client with top-notch support and respond to all challenges during the construction of solar power plants.
Understanding that facing global challenges requires cooperation between countries, we expanded our business into Bosnia and Herzegovina by founding MT-KOMEX BH. The implementation of the project of the largest solar power plant in the system of PE “Electric Power Industry of BiH” is a confirmation that they are on the right path of commitment to strengthening energy capacities.
Throughout 2024, a number of strategic partnerships have been established with global leaders in the renewable energy industry. Great recognition for their work and commitment to innovation came at the moment when they became a silver partner of Huawei.
– Looking to the future brings new challenges and opportunities. We are preparing for the second round of auctions for market premiums for renewable energy sources in Serbia, as well as for numerous projects that await us in 2025i – MT KOMEX pointed out.
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) – Assistance in the design and implementation of auctions
EBRD has launched a second round of auctions for renewable energy sources – 300 MW for wind farms and 124.8 MW for photovoltaic systems, with maximum prices of 79 EUR/MWh and 72 EUR/MWh, respectively. As in the first auction, successful bidders will be offered a 15-year Contract-for-Difference agreement at their strike price.
The multi-year preparation for the first auction entailed development of the legislative framework required for a competitive tender. The sound design resulted in an oversubscribed first auction that had a quota of 450 MW. Two wind farms awarded in the first auction have reached financial close, including the Pupin wind farm that was financed by EBRD alongside Erste Bank.
– The EBRD is delighted to have assisted the Ministry in designing and implementing these auctions and the associated regulatory framework. The assistance is funded the Swiss Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) – highlights EBRD.
As they say, the novelty of this year’s auction is the application of maximum capacity to the bids of high-power solar power plant projects, with the aim of encouraging the participation of smaller projects in auctions. Also, 5% of the total bidder’s score will be awarded based on a preliminary energy purchase agreement. Nevertheless, price remains the main criterion for evaluation, with a share of 95% in the total number of points.
Company for intermediation in insurance ACB LTD BELGRADE
ACB Insurance Brokerage LLC, as the exclusive correspondent of Aon Corporation in Serbia, specializes in providing insurance services in the field of renewable energy sources. Their expertise in securing RES projects, with a total of more than 500 MW of installed capacity, ranks them among the leading partners for projects such as wind farms, solar power plants, biomass plants, gas pipelines and waste management.
The fact that they are the market leader in this segment is proven by the projects themselves: Čibuk 1 Wind Park (160 MW) has been in operational operation since 2017, while Čibuk 2 (154 MW) is under construction. The Krivača Wind Farm (104 MW) started operating in January 2024. Elicio Wind has two wind farms, “Mali Alibunar” and “Alibunar” (50 MW). The Crni Vrh Wind Park (150 MW) is in the preparation phase, as well as the Vetrozelena Wind Park (300 MW) near Pančevo.
IB Interbilanz Consulting & Audit d.o.o. – 20 years of existence in Serbia
IB Interbilanz Consulting and Audit, as part of the Austrian Group, deals with tax and financial consulting in Serbia and Montenegro and provides a complete range of services: ; from accounting and payroll, auditing to valuation of property and capital.
A team of 35 employees successfully cooperates with over 180 clients from the country and abroad who operate in various industries.
Professional teams within the company have domestic and international licenses to perform activities (certified auditor, certified valuer, certified accountant, ACCA, RICS).
As proof of successful business, 20 years of its presence on the territory of the Republic of Serbia was celebrated this year.
– With its ongoing activities and development, as well as professional approach to each client, the company IB Interbilanz Consulting continues its further path to success – the company says.
Mott MacDonald DOO Beograd – Supporting the green and digital transitions
Mott MacDonald led consortium is implementing the CONNECTA 2 framework, aiming to contribute to the long-term development of the Western Balkans – backed by a green and digital transition. Through CONNECTA 2 we have kicked-off the sub-project “Gap analysis of the power transmission infrastructure in the Western Balkans” in November 2024.
The project is financed by European Union, with support of DG NEAR and Energy Community as a project promoter. The main objective of this sub-project is to identify the gaps in the Western Balkan power transmission system preventing the integration of renewable energy sources on a large scale. Main project activities will cover analysis of transmission and generation capacity, electricity market and energy policy up to year 2040.
Law firm Drašković Popović & Partners presented a rebranded logo
Law firm Drašković Popović & Partners has unveiled a rebranded logo. The new look, with a refreshed design and simplified aesthetics, captures the essence of their values – clarity, innovation and accessibility. The simplified design reflects a new perspective and commitment to making the customer experience easier and more intuitive.