The renewable energy industry is at a turning point, it was announced at the opening of the conference RES SERBIA 2025 which took place on September 17th and 18th in Vrdnik.
In a packed hall of the Ethno Complex Vrdnička Kula, in front of more than 500 participants, the event was ceremoniously opened by Miloš Colić, CEO of New Energy Solutions and Chairman of the Management Board of Renewable Energy Sources of Serbia, Dušan Živković, CEO of Elektroprivreda Srbije, Matteo Colangeli, Regional Director of EBRD for the Western Balkans, Plamena Halačeva, Deputy Head of EU Delegation to Serbia, and Jelena Matejić, General Manager of Elektromreža Srbije.
Miloš Colić: Turning point for the RES industry in Serbia
Miloš Colić, CEO of New Energy Solutions and Chairman of the Management Board of RES Serbia, emphasized that he is proud of the development of the Association RES Serbia, which today has more than 50 members.
– Rightfully, we can say that we have become what many colloquially refer to as a national association for renewable energy sources, regionally one of the largest and most important organizations of this type. Although we are celebrating a small anniversary, five years, it is also perhaps a pivotal period in which we most need each other – emphasized Colić.
Miloš Colič, CEO of New Energy Solutions and Chairman of the Management Board of RES Serbia
According to him, it is concerning that since the first auctions, a large number of projects have not been realized.
– Currently, there is only one large wind park on the grid, while another is expected by the end of the year, along with the Kostolac wind park, which is not part of the auction project group, but we are also very much looking forward to it going into production soon – emphasized the Chairman of the Management Board of RES Serbia.
Colić reminded that these are complex infrastructure projects that carry numerous challenges and that it takes at least three years for a project to reach the phase where it can qualify for an auction.
– If we know that two years have passed since the first auctions, and the projects are still not completed, then we rightfully ask ourselves – will we succeed in achieving our ambitious plans? Will there even be a third auction that is in the Incentive System Plan for the period that expires at the end of this year? – Colić asked.
The opening of the conference was attended by more than 500 participants.
He reminded that Serbia will need about 2 GW of new capacity from renewable sources by 2030, in addition to the realization of the entire contingent from auctions.
– Of the total planned 1.2 GW through auctions, less than 150 MW has been built so far. And if we add the fact that there will be no new connection studies in the next year, it is clear that the situation is becoming serious – Colić stated.
However, he also pointed out positive aspects, primarily valuable knowledge, experience, and the strong partnerships acquired through completed projects.
– Our industry is at a turning point today. Globally, we are facing great challenges, and at the local level, these challenges take on specific, sometimes completely unexpected forms. But I believe that together we will succeed in achieving our goals and accelerating the energy transition process – Colić concluded.
Matteo Colangeli: RES SERBIA 2025 shows that there is interest from private investors in renewable energy projects
Regional Director of the EBRD for the Western Balkans, Matteo Colangeli, stated that he is satisfied with Serbia’s results in the field of green transition.
Regional Director of EBRD for the Western Balkans Matteo Colangeli
– There are obstacles to overcome, but we can be satisfied with the achievements of the last few years. The two auctions that Serbia conducted with the support of the EBRD clearly showed that wind and solar can be used for energy production in Serbia at very efficient and competitive prices. Large investments are necessary. This conference demonstrates that there is interest from private investors – stated Colangeli.
According to him, the smartest decision for Serbia is to invest in the domestic wind and solar industry to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
– It is important for Serbia to continue aligning with the European Union, which is its largest trading partner and which will introduce the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) starting next year – concluded Colangeli.
Plamena Halacheva: The voices of the citizens are the most important in the green transition
Plamena Halcheva, Deputy Head of EU Delegation to Serbia, stated that Serbia’s energy potential is enormous and that the EU is Serbia’s primary partner in the energy sector.
– It is a great honor to be here. We are not just here to talk about energy, but about the future of Serbia, Europe, our planet – emphasized Halacheva.
She highlighted that since 2014, the European Union has allocated more than seven billion euros to support reforms in Serbia, including six billion euros in grants
– According to the growth plan for the Western Balkans, Serbia can access an additional 1.6 billion euros by 2027 if it fulfills its reform agenda. Every new project creates new jobs, attracts investments, and gives the citizens of Serbia a reason to build their future here – stressed Halacheva.
Plamena Halacheva, Deputy Head of EU Delegation to Serbia
As she stated, the EU supports Serbia’s energy transition through projects such as the Kostolac wind park and the reconstruction of the Bistrica and Vlasina hydropower plants. Halacheva emphasized that energy independence is very important and that when energy costs rise, it affects not only electricity bills but every aspect of life.
– The green transition is not just about megawatts and billions in investments. It is primarily about people, clean energy for them and their children. The voices of citizens are the most important, and when they become active players in this process, when they produce energy, install solar panels, it empowers them – Halacheva stated, adding that it is necessary for the transition to be fair, and that it is important to encourage all partners in the decarbonization process.
Dušan Živković: Energy sector of Serbia has significantly changed in the past five years
CEO of Eleketroprivreda Srbije (EPS) Dušan Živković said that Serbia has significantly changed in the past five years.
CEO of Elektroprivreda Srbije Dušan Živković
– We have accomplished a lot in the regulatory and strategic framework. Significant projects have been launched, and we have new participants in the market. There is still much work ahead of us, and we anticipate more intense and faster changes – said Živković, adding that EPS, as the largest energy company in Serbia, recognizes the importance of the RES SERBIA 2025 conference.
According to him, global circumstances have imposed energy security as a priority, and it is important to find solutions for diversifying production while preserving financial stability and energy independence.
Christophe Bols, Country Manager in Elicio and Dušan Živković
– EPS is the center of the largest investments and modernization in energy. We are focused on increasing renewable sources in our portfolio. We have the knowledge, expertise, and readiness to introduce new technologies, and we are aware that more courage is needed to make some bold decisions – Živković stated.
Jelena Matejić: Necessary synergy of all energy factors
The General Manager of Elektromreža Srbije (EMS), Jelena Matejić, stated that EMS is intensively investing in the modernization of the transmission network and that Serbia is among the leaders in Europe regarding transmission and interconnection capacities.
General Manager of Elektromreža Srbije Jelena Matejić
She noted that the transmission system is a crucial segment that can contribute to a successful energy transition, but only under a series of other conditions. According to her, the moment we are living in has made the field of energy, particularly electricity, a priority topic. A strategic approach is, as she says, necessary and the only viable option, and the synergy of all energy factors is a prerequisite for the stable and secure functioning of the entire electricity system of the country.
– Colleagues mentioned that we have a couple of hundred megawatts on the network, and in the future we expect 2 gigawatts. I tell you that we have 17 GW in the future, as this is currently in the process of connecting to the transmission system of Elektromreža Srbije, not to mention connections to the distribution system. This compels us to continue building and investing in our power grid. Let’s not forget, an empty power grid is just as dangerous as one that is intensely filled and used. That is why we must work on synergy – concluded Matejić with the hope that at the next conference we will be able to say that we have many more integrated renewable energy sources, and other conventional energy sources, not only from the state but also from private entities.
For the fifth year in a row, the conference organized by the Association Renewable Energy Sources of Serbia gathered the leaders of Serbia and the region’s energy transition – decision-makers, representatives of companies, investors, banks, and the academic community.