Minister Mihajlović: Serbia to change laws, make energy sector greener

Minister of Mining and Energy Zorana Mihajlović said Elektroprivreda Srbije is one of the most important companies in Serbia, but that it “can and must” work better. She said the laws on energy, energy efficiency, and mining would be changed and that a separate law on renewable energy sources would be written.

At a meeting with the management of state-owned coal and electricity producer Elektroprivreda Srbije, Minister of Mining and Energy of Serbia Zorana Mihajlović offered support and said she expects the same from the company. She added she would initiate changes in the Energy Law, Law on Efficient Use of Energy and Law on Mining and Geological Explorations, and that a law on renewable energy would be adopted.

Separately, the minister said the government wants to improve the energy sector and make it cleaner and that it would work together with the World Bank.

Support, not obstruct

“This ministry is open and it’s here for you and with you. We plan to make everything we work on the best there is. We are here to support, not obstruct, and I expect the same from your side as well. You are one of the most important enterprises in the country, but work performances can be and must be improve,” Mihajlović stated.

Minister Zorana Mihajlović and World Bank official Stephen Ndegwa hinted at major reforms in mining and energy

The participants at the meeting also spoke about the possibilities for upgrading the quality of power supply and on potential investments in the grid, according to the ministry.

Green economy, energy among strategic directions

Mihajlović revealed plans to digitalize the licensing procedure in energy and mining. After meeting World Bank Country Manager for Serbia Stephen Ndegwa, she said the e-energy and e-mining systems would be implemented and pointed to the example of digitalization in the construction sector. It will be a serious reform, warranting the change of many laws, the minister stressed.

“We spoke today about several important strategic directions, starting with a green economy and green energy, as even though we know a part of electricity is generated from coal, the other part is from hydropower, and we want to improve the energy sector and make it cleaner. We also spoke about energy efficiency or the rational use of energy, on which we will collaborate with the World Bank,” she said.

The minister, who just returned to the position after being in charge of construction, transportation, and infrastructure for six years, expressed optimism that joint efforts in energy would bring “huge results and a major contribution” to gross domestic product growth.

Ndegwa said reforms are exceptionally important for helping the country’s development. The World Bank official asserted lithium is “a great opportunity for Serbia and new jobs” and revealed he and Mihajlović also discussed the developments in environmental protection.