The Electric Power Industry of Serbia (EPS) celebrated 131 years of existence and work, and the celebration of the EPS Day was also attended by representatives of the Association of RES Serbia. EPS Day is celebrated on October 6th, because on that day in 1893, the first Serbian power plant in Dorćol was put into operation.
At the ceremony on the EPS Day, Dušan Živković, CEO of EPS, said that the new B3 unit at the Kostolac B thermal power plant had successfully passed the tests on October 6th, that warranty tests were continuing, and that the unit was soon to be taken over.
The head of EPS emphasized the importance of the project for the construction of a reversible HPP Bistrica, which will be a safety in the further development of RES.
– We are developing 1 gigawatt solar power plants with a strategic partner, and we are working on improving production in existing capacities to ensure energy security and stability of the system – said Živković. – The revitalization of hydroelectric power plants has been completed, and we expect the complete revitalization of the RHP Bajina Bašta to be completed next year. We will ensure that 80 percent of our hydro capacities will operate safely and securely in the next 30 to 35 years and supply electricity to the citizens of Serbia. At the same time, with the revitalization of thermal power plants in the next two years, we will ensure that 75 percent of our thermal capacities will be able to produce electricity in the next 10 to 15 years, until new revitalizations.
Danijela Isailović, manager of RES Serbia and Dušan Živković, CEO of EPS
A long and rich tradition
Rade Mrdak, Special Advisor to the Minister of Mining and Energy, emphasized that the celebration of the 131st anniversary of EPS is an opportunity to reflect on the long and rich tradition.
– The Electric Power Industry of Serbia, which has existed under that name for the last 35 years, inherits everything that has happened in the Serbian energy industry over the past century and more. This path was filled with various challenges and transformations in accordance with political, economic and historical circumstances. Today, we can proudly look back on everything that the Serbian energy sector has gone through and achieved. It was a time of development, innovation and crucial moments for our economy and society – said Mrdak.
The whole world is striving for green energy
On behalf of the employees, Jelica Pešić, a young mechanical engineer employed in HPP Bistrica and Miloš Suzić, a mining engineer in TE-KO Kostolac, spoke.
– EPS is working on increasing the capacities used by RES, and the projects in Lim Hydro Power Plants will greatly contribute to the development of my engineering career – said Jelica Pešić – I believe that I will learn a lot from current projects that will improve the power system of Serbia, increase the production of green energy and enable young staff to improve.
Miloš Suzić explained that the work on the open-pit mine is not easy, but that the miners are trying and successfully overcoming all obstacles in order to preserve and improve the legacy that has been passed down through generations. He said that the whole world is striving for green energy and that miners know that it is necessary to improve the production of coal and tailings with as little impact on people and the environment as possible.
The highest EPS award, the charters with the plaque Đorđe Stanojević, were awarded to Gliša Klasnić, an electrical engineer who has dedicated his working life to EPS, contributing to the development of numerous projects in the thermal sector, including complex projects of rehabilitation and modernization of thermal power plants Nikola Tesla, and electrical engineer Olivera Gudžulić, who has been a great support to EPS throughout her career, especially during more than two decades of work in the Ministry of Mining and Energy. A special certificate of thanks was given to Dragana Jauković for many years of professional and dedicated work in EPS.
Source and Photos: EPS