Serbia to subsidize citizens with EUR 230 million in 2022 for energy efficiency, solar panels

The Ministry of Mining and Energy will provide EUR 230 million for subsidies for energy efficiency measures and installation of solar panels, said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Mining and Energy Zorana Mihajlović. Owners of the households will apply for incentives to replace doors and windows, install insulation and replace heating systems with cleaner ones.

The Ministry of Mining and Energy has so far published one public call for subsidies for energy efficiency and one for solar panels. The second public call for energy efficiency improvements is planned by the end of the year.

In two public calls, the ministry awarded EUR 2,7 million to local municipalities, securing an equal amount. Two entities are securing half of the investment, and beneficiaries need to cover the remainder.

The expected EUR 230 million, planned for 2022, would mean a significant increase in subsidies and the number of beneficiaries. This year the number will reach 10,000, according to estimates.

Subsidies will be awarded for the next five years

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Mining and Energy Zorana Mihajlović told Euronews Serbia that the subsidies would be awarded in the next five years. She stressed that the goal is to reduce consumption, given the country consumes four times more energy than the EU average.

Mihajlović underlined energy efficiency would secure enough electricity as a new power plant is built.

According to the ministry, it will take five years for every household in Serbia to become more energy-efficient by implementing one of the measures for saving energy.

Citizens to receive EUR 2,000 for the installation of solar panels

Mihiajlović said the ministry made red tape much easier for the installation of solar panels. It used to take more than 25 steps for someone to install a solar panel on their roof and become a prosumer, and today only one, she claimed.

The average household would receive a EUR 2,000 subsidy for installing a 5 kW solar panel or 50 percent of the eligible costs. The investment pays off in four years, after which the consumer pays only a fixed fee per month, Mihajlović added.

If we install solar panels on only 10 percent of Serbia’s rooftops, the country could get install capacity equal to the installed capacity of  Serbian power utility EPS, Mihajlović said.