Photo: Ministry of Mining and Energy/Nenad Kostić
The Government of Serbia is discussing a new program with the World Bank to finance the construction of gas pipelines and subsidize energy efficiency measures for households and public buildings.
Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Đedović Handanović spoke today with a World Bank delegation led by Stephanie Gil, Manager for Energy in Europe and Central Asia, according to the Ministry of Mining and Energy.
They discussed a new multi-year support program for projects in Serbia’s energy sector, including financing for the development of gas infrastructure and investments in energy efficiency.
Đedović Handanović explained that the new multi-year program would be structured in several phases. The first would include the construction of a gas pipeline section between Niš and Velika Plana, as well as the preparation of technical documentation for projects to be implemented in subsequent phases.
Serbia plans to build two new gas interconnections over the next two years, with North Macedonia and Romania
These projects include the construction of a gas pipeline from Mokrin to Belgrade, and new gas storage facilities and accompanying pipelines.
“The plan is in line with our priorities to build two new gas interconnections over the next two years, with North Macedonia and Romania. They are important for diversification and increased security of supply. Through the World Bank program, we would improve the internal network and remove bottlenecks affecting the smooth transport of gas,” she pointed out.
The meeting was also about the possibility of transporting hydrogen via new pipelines. This could allow for greater flexibility in infrastructure use during the energy transition, the ministry added.
Regarding energy efficiency, Đedović Handanović said that very good results were achieved in previous years through the Scaling Up Residential Clean Energy (SURCE) project, where more than 50,000 households will reduce energy consumption and bills.
World Bank: Serbia can serve as an example
Serbia is interested in continued cooperation in the field of energy efficiency, including the reconstruction of public buildings in local communities, including schools, kindergartens, hospitals, and support for households, she added.
World Bank representatives expressed readiness to support Serbia in implementing planned priority energy projects, especially in the gas sector. Serbia has shown great capacity and ambition and can serve as an example to other countries in the region, they stressed.
The meeting was also attended by the World Bank Country Manager for Serbia Nicola Pontara.
The five-year SURCE project, which provides energy renovation subsidies for houses and apartments, is scheduled to run through late November 2027.
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